Comparative aspects of unsaturated fatty acid synthesis

Abstract

1. 1. The biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids by members of groups of algae and protozoa was studied. 2. 2. Mono-unsaturated fatty acids were synthesized by direct desaturation of their saturated analogs by a red alga, several chrysomonads, a colorless euglenid and an amoeba. 3. 3. A photosynthetic euglenid, several phytomonads and gree algae synthsized mono-unsaturated fatty acids by an unknown route. 4. 4. All of the organisms examined produced polyenoic fatty acids by the progressive desaturation of monoenoic acids. 5. 5. The amoeba possessed only the γ-linolenic acid pathway of polyene synthesis; the green algae only the α-linolenic acid pathway; the chrysomonads, euglenids and phytomonads contained both pathways.