Abstract

The lipids of the spores of the Basidiomycetes: Ustilago bullata, Lycoperdon perlatum and Calvatia gigantea were investigated. The spores of U. bullata were found to have hydrocarbons ranging from C_9 to C_24, methyl esters of fatty acids ranging from C_14 to C_24, and free fatty acids from C_14 to C_24. The spores of L. perlatum were found to have few hydrocarbons (C_22 being the predominent one); no methyl esters were detected and the fatty acids were from C_15 to C_18. Long chain aldehydes (C_30) were also detected in low concentration. At the ultrastructural level the Lycoperdon spores were found to have rodlets (100 A° apart) and protrusions which indicates that the spores have surface characteristics similar to the spores of Ustilago maydis and Penicillium. The C. gigantea spores were found to contain long branched chain hydrocarbons (C_30) with a methyl branch on the number 3 carbon. No methyl esters were found and only two free fatty acids (C_16, C_18 ) were detected. The fatty acid content values in spores of U. maydis decreased during germination. Acetate-1-- ^14C was incorporated into diglycerides, phospholipids, and sterols during the germination process.

Degree

College and Department

Life Sciences; Plant and Wildlife Sciences

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