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Three trends in the investigations of the specific lipids of rhodococci and related microorganisms are reflected: isolation and structural determination of new complex lipids, elucidation of the role of specific lipids in the cells and application of lipid composition for diagnostic studies of rhodococci and related organisms. Two groups of peptidolipids, differing in chromatographic mobility and peptide chain structure, have been found in the cells of Rhodococcus erythropolis. The compounds within each group differ in acyl moieties. Three peptidolipids of the polar group include glucose, so they are peptidoglycolipids. Glycolipids are represented by trehalose derivates. Trehalose dimycolate (cord factor) is dominant. Data concerning the role of lipids in typical features of rhodococci as the lipophilic cell wall, the ability to up-take a hydrophobic substrate and the resistance to influences from outside are given. Examples of application of mycolic acid composition in taxonomy of rhodococci and morphologically similar bacteria are given.

Active petroleum-oxidizing bacteria of the USSR arctic seas are represented by Mycobacterium mucosum (non-colored), Mycobacterium phlei and Mycobacterium brevicale (red-orange) which inhabit the Yenisei Bay, the Kara Sea and the Laptev Sea. Vertical distribution of the petroleum-oxidizing mycobacteria is characterized by substitution of non-coloured forms for coloured ones with depth: "white" strains are found mainly in the surface layer while red and yellow-orange strains are detected in deep water layers and near the bottom.