Fatty acids from Macoma sp. of bivalve mollusc

Fatty acids of the total lipids of flesh and hepatopancreas of Macoma sp. have been determined. The level of 20:5w3 (ca 17%), a biologically important fatty acid, was found to be considerably high. Other major component fatty acids were 16:0, 16:1, 18:1 and 22:4w6. High levels of 22:5w6 (8%), 22:5w3 (8%) and 22:6w3 (ca 15%) were found in flesh lipid. Nonsaponifiables were also high (28–30%). Alkyl ether acyl glycerols were found in flesh (1.3%) and hepatopancreas (3.8%).