FATTY-ACIDS OF GREEN MACROPHYTIC ALGAE FROM THE SEA OF JAPAN

The fatty acid composition of Blidingia minima, Ulva fenestrata, Enteromorpha linza, E. flexuosa, Codium fragile, Cladophora stimpsonii, Chaetomorpha linum and C. moniligera from the Sea of Japan was examined. It was demonstrated that significant amounts of C-16 and C18 polyunsaturated fatty acids were characteristic of these Chlorophyta. Only C.fragile contained a high proportion of 16: 3 (n-3) acid. Other species contained 16:4 (n-3). Algae of two classes, Chlorophyceae and Siphonophyceae, differed in fatty acid composition which may be useful for taxonomic purposes. Algae belonging to Chlorophyceae: (1) contained 16:4 and also 16: 3 acids, (2) had a 18:1 (n-7) /18:1 (n-9) ratio much greater than 1, (3) were very rich in (n-3) polyenoic fatty acids. Algae of Siphonophyceae: (1) contained either 16:3 or 16:4 acid, (2) had a 18:1 (n-7) /18:1 (n-9) ratio less than 1, (3) had a lower content of (n-3) polyenoic acids than algae of the former class. Correlation between fatty acid composition of the algae and their taxonomic position in the Chlorophyta phylum is discussed.