The occurrence and biosynthesis of gamma-linolenic acid in a blue-green alga,Spirulina platensis.

Lipids ·Vol. 3 ·No. 1 ·1968-01-00 ·Pages 46-50

Nichols BW, Wood BJ

Abstract

The acyl-lipid and fatty acid composition of six blue-green algae, namely,Spirulina platensis, Myxosarcina chroococcoides, Chlorogloea fritschii, Anabaena cylindrica, Anabaena flos-aquae, and Mastigocladus laminosus is reported.All contain major proportions of mono-and digalactosyl diglyceride, sulfoquinovosyl diglyceride, and phosphatidyl glycerol, but none possess lecithin, phophatidyl ethanolamine, or phosphatidyl inositol. Trans-3-hexadecenoic acid was absent from all extracts.The analyses provide further evidence that there is no general chemical or physical requirement for any specific fatty acid in photosynthesis. S. platensis is unique among photoautotrophic organisms so far studied, containing major quantities of gamma-linolenic acid (6,9,12-octadecatrienoic acid). This acid is synthesized by the alga by direct desaturation of linoleic acid and is primarily located in the mono- and digalactosyl diglyceride fractions.The possible phylogenetic relationship betweenS. platensis and other plant forms is discussed.

Authors & Affiliations

2 authors, click to expand affiliations / ORCID

Nichols B W

Biochemistry Division, Unilever Research Laboratory, Sharnbrook, Bedford, England.

Wood B J

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Article Info

Journal

Lipids

Abbr.

Lipids

ISSN

0024-4201

DOI

10.1007/BF02530968

Published

1968-01-00

Pages

46-50

Language

English

Region

United States

NLM ID

0060450

External Links

PubMed source DOI: 10.1007/BF02530968 View journal details

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The occurrence and biosynthesis of gamma-linolenic acid in a blue-green alga,Spirulina platensis.

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