ABSTRACT

Since pathogens are encountered in most groups of fungi, their lipid composition is likely to reflect basic patterns of fungal chemotaxonomy, although modified by interaction, biotrophic or saprotrophic. Reports of substantial amounts of free fatty acids are generally attributed to lipase activity during extraction although evidence for their accumulation at certain developmental stages of some species of fungi has been presented. Scopulariopsis brevicaulis, a soil saprophyte which causes human and animal onchomycosis, was found to resemble other pathogens in its high lipid content. M. Suutari detected no qualitative changes in fatty acid composition in a series of yeasts, within the range of temperatures permitting growth, but various adjustments were observed in the amounts and proportions of fatty acids. A diversity in nitrogen-free glycolipids has been reported in cultures of various Ascomycotina and Basidiomycotina. Although rarely investigated, hydrocarbons have been reported among surface lipids of a diversity of fungal structures, mainly in higher fungi.