FATTY-ACIDS OF PHYTOPHTHORA FUNGI GROWN ON VARIOUS MEDIA

The levels of fatty acids in ten representatives of six Phytophthora s pecies were studied during their growth on four different media. The l ipogenic activity of the fungi was relatively low; the level of intrac ellular fatty acids varied from 14.4 to 96.6 mg/g dry biomass. Unsatur ated fatty acids dominated (51.0-76.0%); essential biologically active C-18-C-20 fatty acids comprised 31.4-59.2%. All the strains studied s ynthesized eicosapolyenoic acids. The dynamics of the levels of partic ular fatty acids and the total lipid content during growth was studied . Since the C-20:4/C-20:5 ratio was below 1, Phytophthora fungi may be considered potential producers of eicosapentaenoic acid.