Glycolipid Content Research Articles

Photosynthetic membranes glycolipids of different wheat (Triticum aestivum) varieties under biotic stressor action

The content of photosynthetic membranes glycolipids in wheat seedlings under eyespot causal agent was investigated. Lipids were separated by thin layer chromatography. It was established that for the resistant variety was typical gradual reduction of all investigated lipids; in seedlings of susceptible variety the dynamic of glycolipids was different. Such differences of studied lipids in seedlings of different wheat varieties could be associated with resistance during pathogenesis

Nitrogen and hydrophosphate affects glycolipids composition in microalgae.

Glycolipids had received increasing attention because of their uses in various industries like cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, food and machinery manufacture. Microalgae were competitive organisms to accumulate metabolic substance. However, using microalgae to produce glycolipid was rare at present. In this study, glycolipid content of Chlorella pyrenoidosa and Synechococcus sp. under different nitrate and hydrophosphate levels were investigated. The highest glycolipid contents of 24.61% for C. pyrenoidosa and 15.37% for Synechococcus sp. were obtained at nitrate absence, which were 17.19% for C. pyrenoidosa and 10.99% for Synechococcus sp. at 0.01 and 0 g L−1 hydrophosphate, respectively. Glycolipid productivities of two microalgae could reach at more than 10.59 mg L−1 d−1. Nitrate absence induced at least 8.5% increase in MGDG, DGDG and SQDG, while hydrophosphate absence resulted in over 21.2% increase in DGDG and over 48.4% increase in SQDG and more than 22.2% decrease in MGDG in two microalgae. Simultaneous nitrate and hydrophosphate limitation could make further improvement of glycolipid accumulation, which was more than 25% for C. pyrenoidosa and 21% for Synechococcus sp. These results suggest that nitrogen and phosphorus limitation or starvation should be an efficient way to improve microalgal glycolipid accumulation.

Tandem MS Characterization of Endosperm Lipid Profile in Isogenic Waxy Wheat Versus Wildtype Parent Cultivars

AbstractAmong bread quality wheat cultivars, the percentage of lipids is minor, but its potential contribution to desirable traits is significant; particularly the glycolipid fraction. The lipid profile of total lipid extracts from isogenic waxy wheat kernels reveals the genetic expression compared with extracts from the corresponding wildtype wheat kernels. The collateral enhancement of desirable lipid enhancement of waxy wheats that accompanies the genetically defined carbohydrate difference is the subject of the analytical efforts described in this paper. Tandem mass spectrometry directly applied to total extract enables identification and measurement of acyl group populations within each lipid class. Significant increases were observed in glycolipid content for waxy wheats and the N11 waxy (hexaploid) triglycerides were significantly increased vs the wildtype parent.

Growth and lipid content of two freshwater microalgae: Asterococcus korschikoffii Ettl and Vischeria helvetica (Vischer & Pascher) Hibberd

Growth and lipid content of two freshwater microalgae: Asterococcus korschikoffii Ettl and Vischeria helvetica (Vischer & Pascher) Hibberd

Specific role of phosphatidylglycerol and functional overlaps with other thylakoid lipids in Arabidopsis chloroplast biogenesis.

With phosphate deficiency, the role of phosphatidylglycerol is compensated by increased glycolipid content in thylakoid membrane biogenesis but not photosynthetic electron transport in Arabidopsis chloroplasts. In plants and cyanobacteria, anionic phosphatidylglycerol (PG) is the only major phospholipid in thylakoid membranes, where neutral galactolipids monogalactosyldiacylglycerol (MGDG) and digalactosyldiacylglycerol (DGDG) are predominant. In addition to provide a lipid bilayer matrix, PG plays a specific role in photosynthetic electron transport. Non-phosphorous sulfoquinovosyldiacylglycerol (SQDG) is another anionic lipid in thylakoids; it substitutes for PG under phosphate (Pi) deficiency to maintain proper balance of anionic charge in thylakoid membranes. Although the crucial role of PG in photosynthesis has been deeply analyzed in cyanobacteria, its physiological function in seed plants other than photosynthesis remains unclear. To reveal specific roles of PG and functional overlaps with other thylakoid lipids, we characterized a PG-deficient Arabidopsis mutant (pgp1-2) under Pi-controlled conditions. Under Pi-sufficient conditions, the proportion of PG and other thylakoid lipids was decreased in pgp1-2, which led to severe disruption of thylakoid membrane biogenesis. Under Pi-deficient conditions, the proportion of all glycolipids in the mutant was greatly increased, with that of PG further decreased. In Pi-deficient pgp1-2, thylakoid membranes remarkably developed, which was accompanied by a change in nucleoid morphology and restored expression of nuclear- and plastid-encoded photosynthesis genes. Increase in glycolipid content with Pi deficiency may compensate for the loss of PG in terms of thylakoid membrane biogenesis. Although Pi deficiency increased chlorophyll and photosynthesis protein content in pgp1-2, it critically decreased photochemical activity in PSII. Further deprivation of PG in photosynthesis complexes may abolish the PSII activity in Pi-deficient pgp1-2, which suggests that glycolipids cannot replace PG in photosynthesis.

Rapid neutral lipid accumulation of the alkali-resistant oleaginous Monoraphidium dybowskii LB50 by NaCl induction

NaCl is an effective inducer of lipid accumulation in freshwater microalgae, but little is known on whether the enhanced lipid components are desired. To address this issue, Monoraphidium dybowskii LB50 from a freshwater habitat was selected, cultivated, and subjected to NaCl induction at different scales outdoors. Results showed that the optimal salt concentration reduced glycolipid (GL) content, as well as enhanced neutral lipid (NL) and phospholipid (PL) contents. Moreover, GL was preferentially converted to NL at 20gL−1 NaCl. Total lipid and NL contents respectively increased to 41.7% and 17.48% in 1d. The highest NL productivity was also achieved at both the 5L (24.13mgL−1d−1) and 140L (13.05mgL−1d−1, 3.43gm−2d−1) scales. These results suggest that NL accumulated effectively and rapidly at different scales, indicating that this strategy has broad application prospects for the scale-up cultivation of oily algae.

Carbohydrate-Containing Molecules as Potential Biomarkers in Colon Cancer

Glycans play a critical role in physiological and pathological processes through interaction with a variety of ligands. Altered expression and dysregulation of these molecules can cause aberrant cellular function such as malignancy. Glycomics provide information of the structure and function of glycans, glycolipids, and glycoproteins such as proteoglycans, and may help to predict cancer development and progression as biomarkers. In this report, we compared the expression of proteoglycans, the content and structure of glycosaminoglycans and glycolipids between patient-matched normal and cancer tissues obtained from colon cancer patients. Tumor-related proteoglycans, glypican-3, and syndecan-1 showed downregulation in cancer tissues compared to normal tissues. In cancer tissue, the total amount of chondroitin sulfate (CS)/dermatan sulfate and heparan sulfate were lower and, interestingly, the level of disaccharide units of both 4S6S (CS-E) and 6S (CS-C) were higher compared to normal tissue. Also, overall lipids including glycolipids, a major glycomics target, were analyzed by hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography mass spectrometry. Increase of lyso-phosphatidylcholine (phospholipid), sphingomyelin (sphigolipid), and four types of glycolipids (glucosylceramide, lactosylceramide, monosialic acid ganglioside, and globoside 4) in cancer tissue showed the possibility as potential biomarkers in colon cancer. While requiring the need for careful interpretation, this type of broad investigation gives us a better understanding of pathophysiological roles on glycosaminoglycans and glycolipids and might be a powerful tool for colon cancer diagnosis.

Glycolipids as Potential Energy Molecules during Starvation in Climbing Perch,Anabas testudineus(Bloch)

Glycolipids are membrane lipids which act as cellular markers and also provide energy for the cells. The present study is an attempt to understand whether glycolipids can act as energy sources during fasting. To achieve this, we selected and subjectedAnabas testudineusto short-term (15 days) and long-term (60 days) laboratory starvation. We estimated glycolipids biochemically using a standard protocol in six different tissues. Results showed a selective decline in glycolipid concentration in certain tissues, and also an increase was observed in some tissues. Short-term fasting led to a decline in glycolipids in tissues such as brain (P<0.05), accessory respiratory organ (P<0.001), pectoral and lateral line muscle. Liver and kidney (P<0.002) reported an increase. Long term starvation also resulted in a decline in tissues such as liver (P<0.001), kidney (P<0.001), brain, and accessory respiratory organ. Muscle tissue,that is, both the pectoral (P<0.002) and lateral line muscle (P<0.05), showed an increase in the glycolipid fraction. This selective decline in glycolipid content of certain tissues suggests a possible utilization of these lipids during starvation and the significant upsurge observed in certain tissues suggests a simultaneous synthesis occurring along the degradation, probably reducing the oxidative stress created by ROS (reactive oxygen species).

초임계 CO2유체 추출법을 이용한 탈지 유채박 중 표면활성물질 추출의 최적화

본 실험에서는 탈지 유채박 중 표면활성물질의 추출을 위해 초임계 <TEX>$CO_2$</TEX> 유체 추출법을 이용하였다. 추출 독립변수는 추출압력(150~350 bar), 온도(<TEX>$33{\sim}65^{\circ}C$</TEX>), 보조용매량(ethanol, 150~250 g)으로 하였으며, D-optimal design에 의한 반응표면 분석을 통해 추출수율, 중성지질 분획, 인지질 분획, 당지질 분획 함량 등의 종속변수에 대한 최적 추출조건을 검토하였다. 그 결과, 압력, 온도, 그리고 보조용매량이 증가함에 따라 종속변수 즉, 추출수율, 인지질, 당지질 함량 등은 증가하였으나, 중성지질 함량은 감소하는 것으로 나타났으며, 그중 보조용매량이 각 종속변수에 가장 큰 영향을 주는 것으로 나타났다. 본 연구를 통해서 유도된 회귀식 모형은 실험을 통해 얻은 결과와 잘 일치하였으며, 초임계 <TEX>$CO_2$</TEX> 유체 추출에 있어서 종속변수인 추출수율, 인지질, 당지질 함량 등을 최대로 하면서 중성지질 함량을 최소로 하는 최적화된 추출조건은 추출압력 350 bar, 추출온도 <TEX>$65^{\circ}C$</TEX>, 보조용매량 228.55 g으로 분석되었으며, 이 조건에서 추출수율은 5.98%, 추출물은 중성지질 3.0%, 인지질 69.43%, 당지질 17.46% 등의 조성을 나타낼 것으로 예측되었다. In this study, an attempt is being made to extract surface-active substances from defatted rapeseed cakes by supercritical carbon dioxide fluid. Independent variables for the extraction process, being formulated by D-optimal design, are pressure (150~350 bar), temperature (<TEX>$33{\sim}65^{\circ}C$</TEX> and co-solvent (ethanol, 50~250 g). The dependent variables of the extraction yield, the content of neutral lipids, phospholipids and glycolipids in the extracts were analyzed upon the results through the response surface methodology. As for the extraction yield, it was found to increase with increasing independent variables, among which the co-solvent proved to be a major influencing parameter. Similar trends were found for the content of surface-active substances (i.e, phospholipids and glycolipids) in the extracts, except for the content of neutral lipids. Regression equations were suggested to coincide well with the results from the experiments. Extraction conditions are being optimized to maximize the extraction yields, the content of phospholipids, and glycolipids were 350 bar (pressure), <TEX>$65^{\circ}C$</TEX> (temperature) and 228.55 g (co-solvent), respectively.

Lipid and fatty acid compositions of a trematode, Isoparorchis hypselobagri Billet, 1898 (Digenea: Isoparorchiidae) infecting swim bladder of Wallago attu in the district North 24-Parganas of West Bengal.

Lipid classes and fatty acid compositions of a digenetic trematode, Isoparorchis hypselobagri inhabiting swim bladder of Wallago attu were analyzed by TLC and GLC. The total lipid (TL) and percent content of neutral lipid (NL, 61.59), glycolipid (GL, 19.78) and phospholipid (PL, 18.62) were recorded. The total lipid is 3.81% of the wet weight of the body tissue. The total percent of saturates, monoenes, dienes and polyenes in TL, NL, GL, and PL of the parasite were 52.0, 49.7, 57.9, 61.5; 31.7, 31.8, 33.1, 26.3; 5.7, 5.7, 4.7, 4.2; as well as 10.33, 12.6, 4.3, 7.4 respectively. Diunsaturated fatty acids were present in low amount. Palmitic 16:0 (among all saturates) and oleic 18:1ω9 (among all unsaturates) acids were the predominant fatty acids in the parasite recorded.

Response of photosynthetic apparatus of two Deschampsia species with different distribution areas on abiotic stress

Deschampsia antarctica (endemic of Antarctic region) and Deschampsia caespitosa (inhabitant of moderate climate regions) are two plant species of Poaceae. The influences of UV-B radiation and H2O2 on photosynthetic apparatus of these plants were studied. UV-B radiation induced degradation of chlorophyll a and β-carotene in leaves of plants of both Deschampsia species. The content of galactolipids in leaves of both species under conditions of UV-B radiation varied significantly, but comparatively stable sulfoquinovosyldiacylglycerol (SQDG) content was observed. UV-B radiation caused slight decrease of QA pool oxidation level in D. antarctica leaves and increase of this index in leaves of D. caespitosa plants. Also UV-B action induced slight decrease of non-photochemical quenching in D. caespitosa leaves, but PS II quantum efficiency of charge separation φp was unchanged. The ratio between the monomeric and oligomeric forms of LHC II (LHCP1/LHCP3) in photosynthetic apparatus of leaves of irradiated plants increased, especially significantly in leaves of D. caespitosa plants. H2O2 treatment cause insignificant decrease of SOD activity of both species. Pigment composition was characterized by increase of carotenoids content in leaves of D.antarctica plants and chlorophyll a content in both species. Glycolipid content was stable and SQDG content slightly increased in leaves of D.antarctica plants after H2O2 treatment.

Siansivirga zeaxanthinifaciens gen. nov., sp. nov., a novel zeaxanthin-producing member of the family Flavobacteriaceae isolated from coastal seawater of Taiwan

A strictly aerobic, Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium (strain CC-SAMT-1(T)) showing gliding motility was isolated from coastal seawater of China Sea, Taiwan. Strain CC-SAMT-1(T) synthesizes all-trans-zeaxanthin (6.5 ± 0.5 mg g(-1) dry biomass) as a predominant xanthophyll carotenoid. As determined by 16S rRNA gene analysis, strain CC-SAMT-1(T) shared very high sequence similarity to the members of the genera Mariniflexile (96.1-95.3%) and Gaetbulibacter (96.0-95.9%); however, it formed a distinct phyletic lineage distantly associated with Mariniflexile species. Polar lipid profile constitutes phosphatidylethanolamine, four unidentified aminolipids, four unidentified lipids, and an unidentified glycolipid. Strain CC-SAMT-1(T) contains excessive unidentified aminolipid lipid (AL2-4) and glycolipid contents, and therefore clearly distinct from Mariniflexile species. Major fatty acids (> 5% of total fatty acids) were iso-C(15:0) (14.8%), iso-C(17:0) 3-OH (11.8%), iso-C(15:1) G (10.6%), anteiso-C(15:0) (9.7%), C(16:0) (8.1%), iso-C(16:0) 3-OH (7.9%), iso-C(15:0) 3-OH (7.5%), and summed feature 3 (containing C(16:1) ω6c and/or C(16:1) ω7c) (7.5%). Menaquinone-6 (MK-6) was major respiratory quinone. DNA G+C content was 33.7 mol%. Based on polyphasic taxonomy, strain CC-SAMT-1(T) represents a novel genus and species in the family Flavobacteriaceae for which the name Siansivirga zeaxanthinifaciens gen. nov., sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CC-SAMT-1(T) (= BCRC 80315(T) = JCM 17682(T)).

Ultradeformable archaeosomes as new topical adjuvants

Ultradeformable archaeosomes (UDA) are vesicles made of soybean phosphatidylcholine (SPC), sodium cholate (NaChol) and polar lipids from Halorubrum tebenquichense (3:1:3 wt/wt). Although ultradeformable liposomes (UDL, made of SPC and NaChol at 6:1 wt/wt) and UDA were neither captured nor caused cytotoxicity on keratinocytes, UDA was avidly captured by macrophages, their viability being reduced by 0.4-1.6 mg/mL phospholipids by 25 to 60%. Instead, UDL were poorly captured and caused no toxicity. Balb/C mice immunized by the topical route with four doses of ovalbumin (OVA)-loaded UDA, at 75 μg OVA/600 μg phospholipids (125 nm mean size and -42 mV zeta potential), induced IgG titers tenfold to 100-fold higher than those immunized with OVA-loaded UDL at the same dosage. Both matrices penetrate to the same skin depth (nearly 10 μm after 1 hour on excised human skin), being the higher topical adjuvancy and higher phagocytic uptake of UDA related to its glycolipid content. From the Clinical EditorThis work summarizes key findings related to the development of ultradeformable archaeosomes as vehicles utilized in transdermal delivery systems with improved skin penetration.

Pleiotropic increases in free non‐polar lipid, glycolipid and phospholipid contents in waxy bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grain

Diethyl ether-extractable free lipid (FL), non-polar or neutral lipid (NL), glycolipid (GL) and phospholipid (PL) contents and water-saturated 1-butanol (WSB)-extractable non-starch lipid (NSL)-monogalactosyldiglyceride (MGDG), digalactosyldiglyceride (DGDG) and phosphatidylcholine (PC)-contents in bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) grain were evaluated to elucidate the possible influence of the Wx-D1 gene on the lipid composition. Waxy near-isogenic lines with a non-functional Wx-D1d allele showed consistently increased NL, GL and PL contents among FL and MGDG, DGDG and PC contents among NSL compared with non-waxy near-isogenic lines with a functional Wx-D1a allele throughout three growing/harvest seasons. However, the proportion of NL, GL and PL among FL was not influenced by the non-waxy/waxy state of the endosperm. The nearly non-functional Wx-D1f allele influenced the FL and NL contents in a similar manner to the non-functional allele across two seasons, while the partly functional Wx-D1g allele only affected the NL content. The Wx-D1 locus has pleiotropic effects on the diethyl ether-extractable FL, NL, GL and PL contents and WSB-extractable MGDG, DGDG and PC contents of bread wheat grain. The non-functional Wx-D1d allele causes an increase in the levels of these lipids.

Glycolipid Content of the Nuclear Membrane in Hypoxic Rat Brain

ABSTRACTIn this study, we report glycolipid changes in the nuclear subcellular fraction from hypoxic rat brains. Male Wistar rats at the age of three months were subjected to sodium nitrite-induced hypoxia. Te nuclear fraction was isolated and lipids were extracted. The glycolipid content was measured by spectrophotometry and thin-layer chromatography.In controls, gangliosides and cerebrosides were the major glycolipid classes. In the nuclear membrane of hypoxic brains, we found increased levels of total glycolipids (5.2-fold), gangliosides (4.1-fold), and cerebrosides (5.9-fold). These changes reflect the disturbances in the glycolipid turnover. Most probably they are associated with impaired energy metabolism. The accumulation of glycolipids may be interpreted as a physiological adaptive response to hypoxia.

The Effect of Copper and Lead Ions on Growth and Lipid Composition of the Fern Matteuccia sthruthiopteris

ABSTRACT In the present study, the effect of copper (Cu2+) and lead (Pb2+) ions on the growth and lipid composition of various parts of the fern, Matteuccia sthruthiopteris, was examined. Plants were incubated in the presence or absence of 1, 10, 100 μM of Cu(NO3)2 or Pb(NO3)2. Cu2+ and Pb2+ ions at concentrations of 1 and 10 μM caused an increased growth of the roots and leaves. A higher concentration of Pb2+ did not show any effect on growth, whereas that of Cu2+ slowed down the growth of the whole plants. The roots accumulated more than 700 μg of Cu2+ and 400 μg of Pb2+ per 1 g dry weight when the plants were incubated with the higher concentrations of metals, whereas in the leaves the concentration of Cu2+ was much lower and did not exceed 12 μg/g dry weight. No accumulation of Pb2+ ions by leaves was detected. The lipid composition of photosynthetic leave tissues was shown to be affected by the presence of metal ions in the root medium at either concentration studied. Various changes in lipid classes were noted as responsive reactions of M. sthruthiopteris to the heavy metal ions in nutrient medium. Cu2+ ions decreased the content of total lipids, total phospholipids, and individual phosphatidylcholines and phosphatidylethanolamines, whereas Pb2+ ions caused a decrease in the content of total lipids and glycolipids. Changes in the lipid composition were more pronounced in the mature leaves than in the scrolls of the studied fern.

Quality of Low Fat Chicken Nuggets: Effect of Sodium Chloride Replacement and Added Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Hull Flour.

While attempting to develop low salt, low fat and high fibre chicken nuggets, the effect of partial (40%) common salt substitution and incorporation of chickpea hull flour (CHF) at three different levels viz., 5, 7.5 and 10% (Treatments) in pre-standardized low fat chicken nuggets (Control) were observed. Common salt replacement with salt substitute blend led to a significant decrease in pH, emulsion stability, moisture, ash, hardness, cohesiveness, gumminess and chewiness values while incorporation of CHF in low salt, low fat products resulted in decreased emulsion stability, cooking yield, moisture, protein, ash, color values, however dietary fibre and textural properties were increased (p<0.01). Lipid profile revealed a decrease in total cholesterol and glycolipid contents with the incorporation of CHF (p<0.01). All the sensory attributes except appearance and flavor, remained unaffected with salt replacement, while addition of CHF resulted in lower sensory scores (p<0.01). Among low salt, low fat chicken nuggets with CHF, incorporation CHF at 5% level was found optimum having sensory ratings close to very good. Thus most acceptable low salt, low fat and high fibre chicken nuggets could be developed by a salt replacement blend and addition of 5% CHF.

Tissue Specific Variation in Biochemical Compositions of Acorus calamus (L.) Leaves and Rhizomes

Sweet Flag (Acorus calamus L.) leaf and rhizome tissues were analyzed for biochemical compositions notably of carbohydrates and lipids. The glycolipid content measured in rhizome tissue was 62.3 mg%/FW almost double the glycolipid content (28.8 mg%/FW) in leaf tissues, whereas the sterol content in the leaf tissue (47.9 mg%/FW) was three times of the sterol content in rhizome tissues (15.5 mg%/FW). Carbohydrates content such as total sugar, reducing sugar, sucrose and fructose measured in leaf and rhizome tissues were more or less similar, with slightly higher values of total sugar (18.2 mg%/FW) in the leaf tissues. The study thus revealed variation in biochemical compositions in two different tissues leaf and rhizome of A. calamus.

Effect of conventional and pressure frying on lipids and fatty acid composition of fried chicken and oil

Lipid class and fatty acid profile of pressure fried (PF) and conventionally fried (CF) chicken and medium of frying were evaluated. Depending on the frying cycle, neutral lipid (NL) content of PF chicken varied from 75-86% as compared to that of CF (84-90%). Similarly, glycolipid (GL) content varied from 11-21% in PF and from 9-12% in case of CF. Phospholipid (PL) was the least among lipid classes in both the products. The fresh frying medium (oil before frying cycle started), NL, GL and PL were 89, 10 and 0.33%, respectively. After the frying cycles were over, NL content of oil used for CF decreased to 82% and GL content increased from 10 to 17%. There was no significant difference (p ≥ 0.05) between the contents of lipid classes of oil used for PF or CF. Fried chicken and frying medium had higher concentration of linoleic acid and oleic acid irrespective of the frying cycle or frying method. PF chicken had moisture content in the range of 56-58% and total fat was 14% whereas in case of CF chicken it ranged from 49-52% and 18% respectively. TBA and FFA values of CF chicken and oil on repeated frying were higher (p ≤ 0.05) than PF. In comparison to conventional frying, pressure frying resulted in relatively tender and juicier product presumably due to better retention of moisture (p ≤ 0.05) and low oil uptake.

Calcium can moderate changes on membrane structure and lipid composition in cowpea plants under salt stress

The effects of supplemental Ca2+ on membrane integrity and lipid composition of cowpea plants submitted to salt stress (75 mM NaCl) were evaluated. The experimental design was factorial (2 × 6 + 1) corresponding to six saline treatments supplemented with CaCl2 and six saline treatments supplemented with CaSO4, both at 0.5, 1.25, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5 and 10.0 mM, plus control treatment (plants grown in half-strength Hoagland’s nutrient solution without supplemental calcium addition). Samples of leaves and root tips were analyzed for total lipid, glycolipid and fatty acid contents and membrane damage symptoms. Salt stress greatly reduced total lipid content in leaves and roots and caused great damage to membrane structures. In leaves, the glycolipid content was differently influenced by calcium treatments. Moreover, salinity increased the saturated/unsaturated fatty acid ratio in leaves and an increase in the concentration of calcium intensified this response. In roots, only saturated fatty acids were detected and their content was strongly influenced by salinity and very little by calcium treatments. Supplemental Ca2+ was unable to ameliorate the negative effects of salinity on the structural integrity and fluidity of plant membranes in cowpea.