Mass spectra of sn-2-hydroxyarchaeol, a polar-lipid biomarker for anaerobic methanotrophy

Abstract

Extremely 13C-depleted sn-2-hyroxyarchaeol is widely observed at marine methane seep sites. It is the first biosynthetic product that provides information about a previously unknown microorganism involved in anaerobic methanotrophy, a process that occurs widely in marine sediments. The mono- and di-TMS derivatives of this compound yield sharply differing and distinctive mass spectra. Depending on reaction conditions, either of these products can be formed in the course of conventional analyses.