GLYCOSIDES OF FATTY ACIDS

Several examples of simple glycolipids containing fatty acids may be found in bacteria, yeasts and lower marine invertebrates.
They are mainly composed of a glycosyl moiety (one or several units) linked to the hydroxyl group of a hydroxy fatty acid or to one carboxyl group of a normal fatty acid (ester linkage). Some more complex glycosides are also formed by amide linkage between a glycosyl moiety and a fatty acid.
Thus, they may be classified into four main groups which have a glycosyl group linked with fatty acids by a :

  O-glycosyl link 
or
ester link
or
ester and an O-glycosyl link
or
N-acyl link