Very long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in crustacea of the order Bathynellacea

Abstract

Abstract Total lipids of three crustacean species, Bathynella natans , B. baicalensis and Baicalobathynella magna from Lake Baikal and the caves of Central Europe were analyzed for very long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids (VLCPUFA) using TLC (silver nitrate impregnated silica gel) and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). The VLCPUFA in the total lipids were mainly n-6 and n-3 PUFA, i.e. 24 : 3n6, 24 : 3n3, 24 : 5n3, 26 : 3n6, 26:5n6 and 28 : 7n6. The major VLCPUFA components in all three samples were 24 : 3n6 (0.4–0.5% of total fatty acids) and 24 : 3n3 (∼1%), but 26 : 5n6 (0.08%) was also prominent in the species from Lake Baikal. The total lipids of the Lake Baikal species contained considerably more 26 : 5n6 and 28 : 7n6 than those from caves. The differences among the VLCPUFA in these species appear to be due mainly to different environmental conditions, dietary habits and geographical spreading.