Abstract A biologically active principle has been isolated from the uropygial gland secretion of the gannet (Sula bassana) exhibiting growth inhibitory activity for Gram-positive bacteria, yeasts, moulds and, in particular, for dermatophytes.The feather lipids of this species consist of monoester waxes predominantly composed of 3,x-dimethylalkanols esterified with fatty acids belonging to homologous series of 2-and 3-methyl-, 2,x-and 3,x-dimethyl-as well as 2,x,y-and 3,x,y-trimethyl-substituted alkanoic acids. For chemosystematic reasons other pelecani form species (Pelecanus crispus, Pelecanus onocrotalus, Phaeton lepturus) and one gaviiform species (Gavia stellata) have also been analysed. The pattern of their preen wax constituents suggest to assume that the Pelecaniformes are polyphyletic with gannets and cormorants being closely related, whereas pelicans and tropic birds are different, both from the former and from each other. Pelicans resemble very much the grebes, while tropic birds seem to be more closely related to the charadriiform, alciform, and possibly to the gaviiform birds.

Changes of the adenine nucleotides in resting and growing Nitrobacter winogradskyi cells were measured in connection with regulating processes during nitrite oxidation and endogenous respiration.

1. The ATP pool in Nitrobacter winogradskyi cells was determined by means of the luciferin-luciferase enzyme system and the ADP and AMP pools were measured after enzymatic conversion into ATP. 2. In the first 10 min after addition of nitrite to endogenously respiring cells, which had stood for 5--16 days after completion of the nitrite oxidation, the ATP pool dropped about 60%. 3. During the log phase the ATP pool was approx. 20--40 pmoles/5 mug cell-N. During growth it increased exponentially by 3--4 times the amount until the nitrite had been used up. Subsquently the ATP pool decreased at first rapidly and then more slowly without sinking to 0 in the first 2 months after nitrification. 4. Nitrite oxidizing cells had an energy charge of 0.37 during the log-phase. After approx. 90% of the substrate had been used up the energy charge had reached 0.57. 5. If the CO2 assimilation was inhibited in growing cultures by increased oxygen partial pressure, nitrite oxidation continued but the ATP pool increased. 6. The ATP pool and the activity of the endogenous respiration decreased by more than 50% during the first hours after the substrate had been used up.

Es wurde der Gehalt an säureunlöslichen Polyphosphaten in wachsenden und ruhenden Zellen von Nitrobacter winogradskyi gemessen.