FEATURES OF THE BLASTOCLADIELLA-EMERSONII LIPIDS AS A FUNCTION OF THEGROWTH-CYCLE AND MEDIUM COMPOSITION

We studied the fractional and fatty acid composition of the total lipi ds in the different stages of the life cycle of Blastocladiella emerso nii. Comparative analysis of the fungal lipids in the course of growth showed that the composition of both the neutral and polar lipids rema ined unchanged throughout the life cycle of B. emersonij., although th ere were marked changes in the quantities of the main fractions and of fatty acids. A decline in the degree of lipid unsaturation. and the c oncomitant accumulation of glycolipids, was observed from the point of maturation of RS-sporangia. A study of the effect of bicarbonate on l ipogenesis in B. emersonii revealed variations of its effect upon the synthesis of fatty acids, depending on the timing in the introduction of this reagent at a particular phase in the growth of the fungus.