The Distribution of the ω3- and ω6-Series of Cellular Long-chain Fatty Acids in Fungi

Abstract

Summary Stable long-chain fatty acid profiles were produced when 245 fungi (some associated with disease) were analysed for fatty acid composition during late growth or stationary growth phases. Fungi of the Protoctista studied i.e. Allomyces were all characterized by the presence of the omega 6 (ω6) series of fatty acids and include C18 and C20 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA's). The disease associated zygomycetous fungi studied, also produced the ω6 series of fatty acids, although most representatives were characterized by the presence of ω6 C18 PUFA's. Disease associated fungi belonging to the Deuteromycotina did not produce the ω6 series of PUFA's. Some were characterized by 18:3 omega 3 (ω3) and others by the production of fatty acids up to 18:2. Some yeasts did not produce ω3- or ω6 series of PUFA's. These results further confirm the general pattern observed in fungi where the “ancestral” protoctistan fungi are characterized by the presence of the ω6 series of C18 and C20 PUFA's, the zygomycetous fungi by the presence of mainly ω6 C18 PUFA's and the Dikaryomycota by the presence of ω3 and not ω6 PUFA's. Consequently, this phenotypic characteristic may also have value in discriminating between higher fungal taxa.