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Specific acyclic isoprenoids as biological markers of methanogenic bacteria in marine sediments

Nature volume 290, pages 693–696 (1981)Cite this article

Abstract

The widespread occurrence of extended hopanoids in sediments and petroleums illustrates the importance of bacterial lipid contributions to geological materials1. In archaebacteria, however, hopanoids are absent1; their role as structural components of biomembranes is fulfilled by acyclic isoprenoids1–5. Recent studies2–6 of the lipid constituents of archaebacteria have greatly extended the range of acyclic isoprenoid skeletons known in organisms (Fig. 1). In particular, isoprenoids with head-to-head linkages have been identified3–5, and such compounds (for example, 3,7,11,15,18,22,26,30-octamethyldotriacontane, I) have been recognized in petroleums7,8 and as degradation products of Messel shale kerogen9–11. Here we report the first recognition of 2,6,10,15,19-pentamethyleicosane (II), a known component of methanogens5,6, in marine sediments of Recent to Cretaceous age (Table 1) and suggest that it and certain other acyclic isoprenoids may be used as biological markers for methanogens.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Organic Geochemistry Unit, University of Bristol, School of Chemistry, Cantock's Close, Bristol, BS8 1TS, UK

    S. C. Brassell, A. M. K. Wardroper, I. D. Thomson, J. R. Maxwell & G. Eglinton

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  1. S. C. Brassell
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  2. A. M. K. Wardroper
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  3. I. D. Thomson
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  4. J. R. Maxwell
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  5. G. Eglinton
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Brassell, S., Wardroper, A., Thomson, I. et al. Specific acyclic isoprenoids as biological markers of methanogenic bacteria in marine sediments. Nature 290, 693–696 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1038/290693a0

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