Abstract
The lipid class and total fatty acid compositions of 14 species of diatom (class Bacillariophyceae) were examined. The major lipid class in these microalgae was polar lipid (50.1-90.8%), although in some species, triacylglycerols (0.3-47.7%) and free fatty acids (0-29.2%) were also abundant in the logarithmic phase cultures. The major fatty acids in most species were 14:0, 16:0, 16:1 ( n-7) and 20:5( n-3). The polyunsaturated fatty acids 16:2( n-4), 16:3( n-4), 16:4( n-1), 18:4( n-3) and 22:6( n-3) also comprised a significant proportion (>4% each) of the total fatty acids in some species. The characteristic fatty acid composition of diatoms is readily distinguishable from those of other classes of microalgae. The mean proportion of 22:6( n-3) was significantly higher in representatives from the order Centrales (4.9%) than the Pennales (1.6%), but there was no consistent difference in the proportions of the other fatty acids. Four of the pennate diatoms contained significant proportions of arachidonic acid, 20:4( n-6) (3.5-5.6%), but most species examined contained very low proportions of ( n-6) polyunsaturated fatty acids. Based on the lipid compositions, all of the diatom species studied are potentially suitable sources of some of the longer chain polyunsaturated fatty acids.
Published Version
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