Variation in the lipid class and fatty acid composition of Thraustochytrium aureum ATCC 34304 = Thraustochytrium aureum ATCC 34304의 지질 및 지방산 조성 변화

Abstract

The heterotrophic marine algae Thraustochytrium aureum ATCC 34304 produces substantial amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), especially docosahexaenoic acid (DHA). In this study, changes in the lipid and fatty acid compositions of Thraustochytrium aureum ATCC 34304 were investigated according to the growth stage. The major lipids of Thraustochytrium aureum ATCC 34304 were found to be composed of triacylglyceride (TAG), phospholipid (PL), and sterol (ST). The content of triacylglyceride increased during the exponential phase of cell growth, but the content of phospholipid decreased. The composition of total polyunsaturated fatty acids decreased from 60.3% to 45.3% and that of docosahexaenoic acid from 42.1% to 33.9% in the triacylglyceride. The composition of total saturated fatty acids, however, increased from 24.9% to 27.8%. The content of total polyunsaturated fatty acids decreased greatly from 48.0% to 17.5% but the decrease in the content of saturated fatty acids was slight in phospholipid.