An Analysis of the Nutritional Requirements for Fatty Acids of Paramecium aurelia |
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| Authors: | A T SOLDO W J VAN WAGTENDONK |
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| Institution: | Research Laboratories, Veterans Administration Hospital and Department of Biochemistry, University of Miami School of Medicine, Coral Gables, Florida |
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| Abstract: | SYNOPSIS. Axenically cultivated Paramecium aurelia , stock 299, required a fatty acid for growth. This need was satisfied by oleic acid and oleic acid-containing lipids. These included: TEM-4T (tartaric acid esters of tallow monoglycerides), certain phospholipids (crude as well as highly purified preparations), Tween 80, 85, Span 80 and glyceryl monoleate. High concentrations of oleic acid in the medium inhibited growth. This inhibition was partially released or annulled by certain mixtures of "non essential" fatty acids or by increasing the stigmasterol content of the growth medium. Definite but non-stoichiometric levels of oleic acid and sterol were required for optimal growth. Tween 60, a non-ionic emulsifier similar in its surfactant properties to Tween 80, stimulated growth in the presence of suboptimal amounts of oleic acid but failed itself to replace oleic acid as a growth requirement. |
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