THE LIPIDS OF LIPOMYCES LIPOFER

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Abstract
As a preliminary to the study of lipid synthesis in Lipomyces lipofer, the nature of the lipid accumulated by this organism was investigated. Neutral lipids were found to predominate, especially in older cultures of high lipid content. The triglyceride fraction was the major component, with smaller quantities of hydrocarbon, free and esterified ergosterol, monoglyceride, diglyceride, and free fatty acid also present. Phosphatid-y-linositol constituted almost one-quarter of the phospholipid fraction. The phosphoglycerides of choline, serine and ethanolamine were also detected. Gas chromatographic evidence indicated that 16:0, 16:1, 18:0, 18:1, 18:2, 18:3 were the principal fatty acid components. The 18:1 fraction was shown by oxidative-cleavage studies to be primarily oleic acid. This fraction predominated, reaching a level of 69% of the total fatty acids in older cultures.