Further structural detail is presented of the cell envelope of the chemolithotroph Ferrobacillus ferrooxidans ( Thiobacillus ferrooxidans ). Thin sections of purified lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and peptidoglycan show structures comparable to those seen in the envelope of intact cells, whereas negative stains of LPS appear as sheets, or ribbons, or both. The sugars common to LPS, namely, heptose, glucose, galactose, mannose, and 2-keto-3-deoxyoctulosonate, were identified. The cations, iron, calcium, and magnesium, were associated with LPS. The purified LPS had a density of 1.28 and an uncorrected sedimentation coefficient of 99.9 S .

The rigid layer (peptidoglycan) of the wall of the chemolithotroph Ferrobacillus ferrooxidans was isolated after various chemical treatments. The removal of specific components was followed by noting in an electron microscope changes in the appearance of the cell surface. The final peptidoglycan was virtually free from proteins and was sensitive to the action of lysozyme. Results of chemical analyses of acidhydrolyzed peptidoglycan revealed three major amino acids and two amino sugars: glutamic acid, a-diaminopimelic acid, alanine, glucosamine, and muramic acid in a ratio of 1:1:2.33:062:088.