Seasonal changes of lipid content in the leaves of some ferns

Seasonal distribution of total lipids, of total and individual phospholipids as well as of one betaine lipid, diacylglyceryl-N,N,N-trimethylhomoserine (DGTS), found in the leaves of Dryopteris carthusiana, Dryopteris filix-mas, Matteuccia struthiopteris and Pteridium aquilinum was studied. Using thin-layer chromatography it was shown that lipid composition was different in these species and changed substantially throughout the development of scrolls (unrolled young leaves) to vegetatively mature leaves. The maximum concentration of DGTS for all the examined species was found in scrolls. DGTS then decreased to its minimum level or entirely disappeared to reappear at later stages of leaf development. This may indicate a specific role of DGTS in the plant membrane.