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Nutrition of Paramecium : A Fatty Acid Requirement *
Author(s) -
MILLER CHARLES A.,
JOHNSON WILLIS H.
Publication year - 1960
Publication title -
the journal of protozoology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.067
H-Index - 77
eISSN - 1550-7408
pISSN - 0022-3921
DOI - 10.1111/j.1550-7408.1960.tb00745.x
Subject(s) - myristic acid , capric acid , chemistry , fatty acid , oleic acid , stearic acid , lauric acid , decanoic acid , biochemistry , palmitic acid , hydrolysis , saturated fatty acid , linoleic acid , food science , organic chemistry
SYNOPSIS. Paramecia, in a nearly defined axenic medium, require a specific fatty acid and a “protein” factor for growth and survival. The fatty acid requirement was readily satisfied by stearic acid or oleic acid. The saturated acids, arachidic (C 20 ) and one preparation of palmitic (C 16 ), had lower growth activity than did stearic acid. The unsaturated fatty acids palmitoleic (C 16 Δ9 ), linoleic (C 18 Δ9,12 ), linolenic (C 18 Δ9,12,15 ), and arachidonir (C 20 Δ5,8,11,14 ) and the saturated fatty acids of C 14 through C 6 . myristic, lauric, capric, caprylic and caproic, were inactive. A few other fatty acid‐containing compounds. i.e. , esters, were also tested for growth‐promoting activity, with concordant results. The “protein” factor has not been completely characterized; a nondialyzable protein‐containing fraction from yeast or crystalline ovalbumin provided it. Hydrolysis products of these substances were inactive. A possible role of the ovalbumin as a carrier for fatty acids is discussed.