Lipid constituents of some Fusarium species

Summary The lipid constituents of Fusarium aquaeductuum Lagerh., F. aquaeductuum Lagerh. var. medium and F. sambucinum Fuck. have been studied. In the mycelia of these three fungi -carotene, lycopene and rhodoxanthin were present. Ergosterol was also present and the fatty acid pattern showed a slight qualitative difference between the three fungi.Use of the presence of carotenoids in fungi as a taxonomic tool is discussed and it is concluded that it cannot yet be considered reliable.