Influence of methylfenpropidine on growth, sterol content and fatty acid composition of Candida albicans

The effect of methylfenpropidine on growth, lipid contents, sterol and fatt y acid composition was investigated in 5 strains of Candida albicans. The s ensitivity of the strains decreased in the order: wild strains > erg(+) ade nys(R) > ade nys(R) erg (defective Delta (8-7)-isomerase) > ade nys(R) erg (defective Delta (5)-desaturase). The presence of the inhibitor influenced fecosterol isomerization, episterol dehydrogenation, zymosterol transmethy lation, ignosterol reduction and squalene epoxidation. Methylfenpropidine a lso induced changes in fatty acid composition, causing a reduction of the p almitic and oleic acid content with a concomitant elevation of stearic, lin oleic and linolenic acid levels. The lipid unsaturation index slightly incr eased. Morphological changes of wild strains were observed after the fungic ide treatment.