TRIACYLGLYCEROL CONSUMPTION DURING SPORE GERMINATION OF VESICULAR-ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAL FUNGI

Lipids and fatty acids of spores of the vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhiz al fungus Glomus versiforme were identified and quantitatively determi ned at different times of germination. Triacylglycerols were, by far, the most abundant lipid (38% on a wet weight basis). Phosphatidylethan olamine, together with minor quantities of other phospholipids, was th e main polar lipid. Palmitoleic, palmitic and oleic acids were quantit atively the most important fatty acids in total lipids, and even more so in the triacylglycerol fraction. Minor percentages of fatty acids, identified as omega 3 and omega 6 polyunsaturated, completed the fatty acid spectra. Germination of G. versiforme spores evokes a continuous decrease of triacylglycerols and an increase of phospholipids. The ba lance of fatty acids during germination suggests either a degradation or a transference of fatty acids from triacylglycerols to phospholipid s.