Catalyzes the activation of long-chain fatty acids as acyl-adenylates (acyl-AMP), which are then transferred to the multifunctional polyketide synthase PpsA for further chain extension. Involved in the biosynthesis of phenolphthiocerol, which is an important intermediate in the biosynthesis of phenolic glycolipid (PGL), also called mycosid B. 17-(4-hydroxyphenyl)heptadecanoate + ATP + holo-[(phenol)carboxyphthiodiolenone synthase] = 17-(4-hydroxyphenyl)heptadecanoyl-[(phenol)carboxyphthiodiolenone synthase] + AMP + diphosphate 19-(4-hydroxyphenyl)nonadecanoate + ATP + holo-[(phenol)carboxyphthiodiolenone synthase] = 19-(4-hydroxyphenyl)nonadecanoyl-[(phenol)carboxyphthiodiolenone synthase] + AMP + diphosphate Lipid metabolism; fatty acid biosynthesis. Belongs to the ATP-dependent AMP-binding enzyme family.