Detection of phthalate esters as contaminants of lipid extracts from soil samples stored in standard soil bags

Biological effects of di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate and other phthalic acid esters

Esters of o-phthalic acid are widely distributed in the ecosystem. The phthalate acid esters (PAE's) are used as plasticizers in the manufacture of polyvinylchlorides. They are also used as solvents in certain industrial processes and as vehicles for pesticides. The PAE's are used in enormous quantities for a variety of industrial uses in the formulation of plastics. While there are a number of important PAE's, di-ethylhexyl phthalate has perhaps been used the most extensively in the formulation of plastics used in medical devices and blood bag assemblies. The metabolism, biodistribution and excretion varies to some extent among the various PAE's. There are species differences with respect to the metabolism of the PAE's. The route of administration, and the level and length of exposure, are known to affect the toxicological profile of the various PAE's. There is little evidence of bioaccumulation of the various PAE's, and only at very large doses have there been reports of overt toxicity. Evidence for the carcinogenicity of certain PAE's apparently is related to prolonged exposure to high levels.

Fatty acids and polar lipids of extremely thermophilic filamentous bacterial masses from two Yellowstone hot springs

The fatty acid composition of filamentous bacterial masses from two very hot Yellowstone Park springs is not unusual despite the extreme environment. Both populations have a series of C(14) to C(20) straight-chain acids with a maximum at C(18), and a series of saturated iso acids with a maximum at C(17) in one case and C(19) in the other. The fatty acid pattern of this anomalous group of organisms is like that of bacteria but not of blue-green algae. Both populations have similar polar lipids and identical carotenoids. It is speculated that these organisms may be adapted to their high-temperature environment by means of stable lipoprotein membrane systems.

Sterol metabolism. III. Sterols of marine waters

The detection and tentative identification of three sterols, cholesterol, stigmasterol, and beta-sitosterol, in hexane extracts of Gulf of Mexico waters has been achieved by using thin-layer and gas chromatographic procedures. The identifications are assigned on the basis of chromatographic properties of the free sterols, of their acetates, and of their trimethylsilyl ethers.