Exposure of Gracilaria to Various Environmental Conditions. II. The Effect on Fatty Acid Composition

Abstract

Changes in composition of fatty acids under various culture conditions were studied in branches or sporelings of four species of Gracilaria. The two dominant fatty acids in all four species were the saturated palmitic acid (16: 0) and the polyunsaturated arachidonic acid (20: 4ω6). In G. tikvahiae sporelings and apices cultured at 10, 15, and 18°C there were higher levels of 18: 1ω9 and 20: 4ω6 than in those grown at 20 and 26°C, responses similar to that reported in hardening of flowering plants. In contrast, G. verrucosa, G. domingensis, and G. conferta did not show an increase in unsaturation of fatty acids when cultured in lower temperatures