In Vivo Natural-Abundance C Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Studies of Living Ectomycorrhizal Fungi : Observation of Fatty Acids in Cenococcum graniforme and Hebeloma crustuliniforme

Natural-abundance ¹³C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy has been used to study intact mycelia of the ectomycorrhizal fungi Cenococcum graniforme (Ascomycetes) and Hebeloma crustuliniforme (Basidiomycetes). A number of sharp resonances are observed in living fungi. These signals primarily arise from fatty acyl chains and carbohydrate nuclei. The spectra are interpreted in terms of relative concentrations of the major fatty acids present in the fungal triglycerides. The small line width of fatty acids (mainly oleic, linoleic, and palmitic acids) resonances and spin-lattice relaxation time are indicative of fast rotational reorientations and are consequently thought to arise from fatty acyl chains in fat droplets. We were able to locate the site of lipids accumulation within mycelia using light microscopy and histological staining. Many lipid droplets were observed in mycelia of both species.

These results suggest that fatty acids droplets could be involved in carbon storage and metabolism from ectomycorrhizal fungi.