Fatty acids filamentous green algae

Fatty acid analyses of several filamentous green algae were conducted using gas-liquid chromatography. Two bryophytes were also examined. Qualitatively, the genera of algae studied were divided into two groups: (A) algae that have significant amounts of polyunsaturated C₂₀ fatty acids and (B) algae that lack or only have very small amounts of the C₂₀ acids. On the basis of fatty acid content, the algae of Group A more closely resemble the bryophytes than do the algae of Group B. Culture age was shown to cause quantitative but not qualitative variations in fatty acid content. It is evident from this study that extrapolation to land plants, from studies on the fatty acid content of the green algae, should include the filamentous forms.