Choline and Inositol Distribution in Algae and Fungi

Inositol and choline were present in varying amounts among the species ofRhodophyta, Phaeophyta, Chlorophyta , andEuglenophyta examined. However, in the two members of the orderFucales (divisionPhaeophyta ) examined, no detectable amounts of choline were found. In contrast, the species ofCyanophyta examined contained no detectable amounts of either choline or inositol. All species of the fungal classesPhycomyceteae, Ascomyceteae , andBasidiomyceteae collected contained both inositol and choline in varying amounts. The red, brown, and blue-green algae usually contained much less inositol and choline than do plant and animals sources, but the fungi and the algaeChlorella andEuglena contained amounts comparable to those present in plant sources.