Nematocyst lipids of the Portuguese man-of-war Physalia physalis

Abstract

1. 1. The lipid classes in the nematocyst toxin and nematocyst capsule of Physalia physalis were identified and quantitated. 2. 2. The toxin contained nearly twice the concentration of total lipid (3·44%) as the capsule (1·45%). 3. 3. Free fatty acids comprised the largest fraction of total lipids in the toxin (32·8%) and capsule (42·7%). 4. 4. Cholesterol was identified as the sole sterol in toxin and capsule lipids. 5. 5. Capsule lipids contained 16·3% phosphonate phosphorus. 6. 6. A functional role for toxin lipids in relation to toxin stability and pharmacologic activity is discussed.