LIPIDS OF THE RED ALGA, PALMARIA-PALMATA

Proximate composition of wild and cultured strains of Palmaria palmata and the effect of temperature, time of harvest and nitrogen deprivati on were studied with an emphasis on lipids and fatty acids. Total lipi d content of the two strains were 2.0 and 1.8% (dry weight basis), res pectively. The cultured strain showed increased accumulation of protei n and ash in comparison to the wild strain. Myristic, palmitic and eic osapentaenoic acids (EPA) were major fatty acids in both wild and cult ured strains with 18:1 omega-7 equalling or exceeding the level of myr istic acid in the cultured strain. No major trends were noted in unsat urated fatty acids including EPA with time of harvest. The C18 unsatur ated fatty acids tended to increase in nitrogen deprived cultures rela tive to the initial and nitrogen-sufficient controls at 11-degrees-C. Nitrogen deficiency at 11-degrees-C resulted in a decrease in lipid an d EPA contents, while the concentration of saturated fatty acids remai ned constant. Triglycerides and free fatty acids were the main reservo irs of polyunsaturated fatty acids including EPA for both strains.