Methyl-branched alkane biosynthesis

Methyl-branched fatty acids are intermediates in branched alkane biosynthesis (Juarez et al., 1992). Thus, [l-14C]propionate labeled methyl-branched fatty acids of 16-20 carbons, but did not label straight chain-saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids (Chase et al., 1990). 

Chu A. J. and Blomquist G. J. (1980) Biosynthesis of hydrocarbons in insects succinate is a precursor of the methyl branched alkanes. Arch. Biochem. Biophys. 201, 304-312. 

Metzger, P., E. Villarreal-Rosales, and E. Casadevall Methyl-branched fatty aldehydes and fatty acids in Botryococcus braunii. Phytochemistry, 30, 185 (1991). Han, j., H.W.-S. Chan, and M. Calvin Biosynthesis of alkanes in Nostoc muscorum. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 91, 5156 (1969). 

The branched f -alkane series are biomarkers because of the locale of their occurrence and the presence of only alternate pseudohomologs (even- or odd-carbon numbers only). Their inferred origin is from probable microbial precursors of unknown species, where methylation and ethylation, diethylation, butylation and ethylation occurred during biosynthesis... 

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