POLYUNSATURATED FATTY ACIDS OF AQUATIC FUNGI - POSSIBLE PHYLOGENETIC SIGNIFICANCE

1. 1. Fatty acids of four marine fungi Thraustochytrium roseum, T. aureum, Schizochytrium aggregatum and Dermocystidium sp. and one fresh-water fungus Phlyctochytrium punctatum were determined. 2. 2. These fungi synthesized ω 3 and ω 6 polyunsaturated fatty acids. They contained large quantities of C20 and C22 polyenes; three of the marine fungi contained unusually large amounts of 22:6 fatty acid. 3. 3. Major fatty acids for T. roseum and S. aggregatum were palmitic, oleic and docosahexaenoic acids; for T. aureum, palmitic, docosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acids; for Dermocystidium, palmitic, palmitoleic and eicosadienoic acids; for P. punctatum, palmitic, stearic, oleic and linoleic acids. 4. 4. The pattern of biosynthesis of polyunsaturated fatty acids by these aquatic fungi as well as their morphology supports the hypothesis that they evolved from a primitive phytoflagellate (monad) ancestor. © 1969.