Effects of triton WR 1339 and orotic acid on lipid metabolism in rats

In order to investigate the effect of hepatic cholesterol flux on biliary bile acids, Triton WR 1339 and orotic acid were administered to rats, and the biliary cholesterol, phospholipids and bile acids were analyzed together with serum lipoproteins and hepatic lipids. Triton, which raised serum very low density lipoprotein and lipid levels and decreased serum high density lipoprotein liver lipid levels, increase the biliary cholic acid group/chenodeoxycholic acid group ratio (CA/CDCA) in the bile without affecting the total amount of bile acids and the other biliary lipids. Orotic acid, which decreased serum lipid and lipoprotein concentrations and increased liver lipid levels, increased the biliary excretion of cholesterol and phospholipids, but produced no significant change in the total amount of bile acids and in the CA/CDCA ratio in bile.     

Effects of experimental endogenous hyperlipemia on circulating leukocytes and erythrocytes

Effects of hyperlipemia on circulating leukocytes and erythrocytes were studied in dogs which were given repeated, intravenous injections of a nonionic detergent, Triton WR-1339. Erythrocyte lipid concentrations increased from 3.6±0.9 mg/10¹⁰ cells in control animals to 9.3±1.5 mg in the hyperlipemic group. This increase was accompanied by a shift in the distribution of total fatty acids toward a higher percentage of saturated and monounsaturated acids. In contrast to the changes observed in erythrocytes, the leukocyte lipid content remained unaltered in dogs with serum cholesterol levels ranging from 500 to more than 2,000 mg/100 ml. Leukocyte counts rose whereas hematocrit values, hemoglobin concentrations, and erythrocyte counts decreased. Oxygen utilization studies showed no significant metabolic differences between leukocytes which were isolated from hyperlipemic or control animals. Circulating leukocytes in dogs with an endogenously induced hyperlipemia were shown therefore to maintain normal lipid concentrations and did not participate in lipophage formation, as reported for certain diet-induced lipemias.     

Dietary cholesterol induces changes in molecular species of hepatic microsomal phosphatidylcholine

After 21 days on a diet containing 1g% cholesterol and 0.5g% cholic acid, rats had an increased content of cholesterol in liver microsomal lipids. In liver, both cholesterol content and δ9 desaturase activity increased, whereas δ6 and δ5 desaturase activities decreased. These changes correlated with increases in oleic, palmitoleic, and linoleic acids and decreases in arachidonic and docosahexenoic acids in total microsomal lipids. Similar fatty acid changes were found in phosphatidylcholine (PC), the principal lipid of the microsomal membrane. In PC the predominant molecular fatty acid species (67% of the total) in the control rats were 18:0/20:4, 16:0/20:4, and 16:0/18:2; and they mainly determined the contribution of PC to the biophysical and biochemical properties of the phospholipid bilayer. The cholesterol diet decreased specifically the 18:0/20:4 species, and to a lesser extent, 16:0/20:4 and 18:0/22:6. The 18:1-containing species, especially 18:1/18:2 and less so 16:0/18:1 and 18:1/20:4, were increased. A new 18:1/18:1 species appeared. The independent effects of the presence of cholesterol and change of the fatty acid composition of the phospholipid bilayer of liver microsomes on the packing were studied by fluorescence methods using 6-lauroyl-2,4-dimethylaminonaphthalene, 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene and 1-(4-trimethylammonium phenyl)-6-phenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene, which test different parameters and depths of the bilayer. Data showed that the increase of cholesterol in the membrane, and not the change of the fatty acid composition of phospholipids, was the main determinant of the increased bulk packing of the bilayer. The increase of fluid oleic- and linoleic-containing species almost compensated for the drop in 20:4- and 22:6-containing molecules. But the most important effect was that the general drop in essential n-6 and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids meant that this endogenous source for the needs of the animal decreased.     

Tissue culture of cocoa bean (Theobroma cacao L.): changes in lipids during maturation of beans and growth of cells and calli in culture

Callus cultures ofTheobroma cacao L., initiated from explants of immature cocoa bean cotyledons, contained 5.3%–6.4% lipids (dry wt basis). The major fatty acids were palmitic, oleic and linoleic acids. Cell suspensions contained 5.7–7.7% total lipids which had a higher polyunsaturated fatty acid content than total lipids of the calli. Phospholipids and glycolipids were the predominant lipid classes of calli and cell suspensions. Immature cocoa beans at early stages of development contained much higher polyunsaturated fatty acids, higher polar lipids and lower triglycerides than did mature ripe beans. Ripe cocoa beans contained 54% total lipids of which 96.8% where triglycerides. The fatty acid composition of total lipids of calli and cell suspensions were similar to those of the immature cocoa beans.     

Control of lipid metabolism in cultured cells

Several studies are presented which indicate that composition of cell lipid is regulated by interaction between intracellular metabolism and lipid transport processes. When the fatty acid composition of cells cultured in essential fatty acid deficient conditions was studied, activation of synthesis of unusual polyun-saturated fatty acids was observed for a number of cell lines. In addition cells contained persistent residual amounts of linoleic acid, presumably owing to efficient scavenging mechanisms. The source of cell lipids was studied in both chemically defined and serum-supplemented media. In the absence of exogenous lipid, cells synthesize lipids from simple precursors, a process which is inhibited by adding serum. When serum lipid is present, cells preferentially utilize fatty acids as a source of nonsterol lipid. These are subsequently esterified intracellularly to make glycerides and phospholipids. When triglyceride is utilized as a source of cell lipid, it is first hydrolyzed before being taken up. By use of a nonhydrolyzable cholesterol ester analog, it is confirmed that both free and ester cholesterol are taken up and excreted by cells. Intracellular cholesterol content is thus regulated by rates of uptake, hydrolysis and excretion as well as by biosynthesis. One of 13 papers presented at the symposium “Lipid Metabolism in Cells in Culture,” AOCS Meeting, Houston, May 1971.     

The lipids of human pancreas with special reference to the presence of fatty acid methyl esters

Total lipids were extracted from human pancreas with chloroform-methanol, chloroform-methanol following acidification, and benzene. A similar proportional amount of total lipid was obtained by each procedure. Regardless of the method of extraction (i.e., whether or not methanol was present), a small proportion (about 1%) of the total lipid was found to consist of fatty acid methyl esters. Triglycerides constituted the major fraction (about 80%) of the pancreatic lipids; in addition to methyl esters, the remaining lipids comprised free fatty acids, phospholipids, cholesterol esters, and traces of free cholesterol. In general, each class of lipid had a similar over-all fatty acid composition with palmitic and oleic acids as predominant components. The methyl esters had a relatively high content of linolenic acid, and the free fatty acids contained a notably high proportion of palmitic acid, in each case accompanied by a corresponding decrease in the proportion of oleic acid present.     

Effect of a low-fat diet enriched with oleic acid on postprandial lipemia in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of a low-fat diet enriched with oleic acid to those of a low-fat diet enriched with linoleic acid on fasting lipids, postprandial lipemia, and oxidative susceptibility of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM). In a 3-wk randomized crossover study, eight patients with type 2 DM were given an experimental low-fat diet enriched with either oleic acid or linoleic acid. The oleic-acid-enriched diet contained 5, 15, and 5% energy from saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fatty acids, and the linoleic-acid-enriched diet contained 5, 5, and 15% energy from saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fatty acids, respectively. In addition to evaluating the fasting lipids and oxidative susceptibility of LDL, we evaluated postprandial lipemia using an oral fat load at the end of each 3-wk dietary phase. There were no significant differences in fasting lipid profile or lag time of LDL oxidation between the two experimental dietary phases. The average and maximal increments of remnant-like particle (RLP) cholesterol levels during oral fat load were significantly higher after the oleic-acid-enriched dietary phase than after the linoleic-acid-enriched dietary phase. The area under the curve of RLP cholesterol was also significantly larger after the oleicacid-enriched dietary phase than after the linoleic-acid-enriched dietary phase. These results suggest that the oleic-acidenriched diet was associated with increased formation of postprandial chylomicron remnants compared with the linoleicacid-enriched diet.     

The effect of prolonged fasting and of glucose refeeding on rat serum and liver lipid levels

The effects upon serum lipids of prolonged fasting of rats followed by refeeding with glucose or chow was studied. Fasting caused a decrease in the levels of serum triglyceride, phospholipid and cholesterol ester, while the level of total cholesterol remained unchanged. Refeeding 20% glucose in water for one day after three days of fasting caused a significantly greater decrease in serum lipid levels than did an additional day of fasting, while refeeding chow for one day restored the serum lipid levels to normal. Seven days of fasting or one day of glucose refeeding following three days of starvation resulted in almost complete disappearance of all serum lipoprotein bands on paper electrophoresis. After four days of refeeding glucose to rats previously fasted for three days the serum lipid levels and lipoprotein patterns approached those seen in fed animals. Serum free fatty acids increased upon fasting, but after seven days of starvation their concentration dropped to that observed in the fed rats. Refeeding for one day with glucose or chow reduced the serum free fatty acid concentration to less than half of the starvation levels. Four days of starvation caused a great decrease in liver weight without causing very pronounced changes in the content of phospholipid and triglyceride in the whole liver; the cholesterol content, notably esterified cholesterol, decreased. Glucose feeding for one day after three days of starvation, while increasing liver weight, did not cause any appreciable change in the hepatic lipid content. Following the three days of starvation lipogenesis from glucose by liver slices is restored to the same extent by refeeding glucose or chow for one day. The role of liver, adipose tissue and diet in supplying fatty acids for serum lipids following fasting is discussed.     

Effect of excessive fatty acid ingestion upon composition of neutral lipids and phospholipids of snailHelix pomatia L.

The effect of an excessive intake of oleic acid on the lipids of the Roman snail (Helix pomatia L.) was studied. The total lipid content increased by 30% which was fully attributable to a marked elevation in the neutral esters and free fatty acids, as phospholipid and free sterol contents remained unaffected. The fatty acid composition of the phospholipids, characterized by high amounts of stearic, linoleic, homolinoleic, and, particularly, arachidonic acids, appeared to be nearly insensitive to this excessive oleic acid ingestion. By contrast, the effect of oleic acid upon the depot lipids was striking: active intestinal resorption of the acid from the dietary supply was shown by the fourfold level of lleic acid in the free fatty acid fraction, whereas a fivefold level of this acid in the glyceride and sterol ester fraction was proof of a substantial esterification. These data support the view that the composition of the structural lipids is specifically species oriented, whereas both the content and the composition of the depot lipids are highly governed by dietary fat intake.     

Cholesterol,Lipid Content,and Fatty Acid Composition of Different Tissues of Farmed Cobia (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Rachycentron canadum</Emphasis>) from China

Marine fishes are rich in n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), especially eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which are extremely important for human health. The objective of our work was to determine the content and composition of lipids and fatty acids in the different tissues of cobia from China and to evaluate their nutritional value. The results showed that cobia from China was rich in lipids; the neutral lipid content was above 82%; the content of cholesterol and phospholipid was low. Eighteen fatty acids were identified. Myristic (C14:0), palmitic (C16:0), and stearic acids (C18:0) were the main saturated acids; palmitoleic (C16:1n-7) and oleic acid (C18:1n-9) were the main monounsaturated fatty acids. EPA and DHA were the main PUFA; n-3 and n-6 PUFA were present as 12–18% and 2.6–3.2% of the total fatty acids, respectively. The n-6/n-3 ratio was in the range from 0.18 to 0.22, which was far lower than that (5:1) recommended by WHO/FAO. Therefore, cobia lipids from China have a high nutritional value.     

Fatty acid composition of erythrocyte,platelet, and serum lipids in strict vegans

The fatty acid composition of erythrocytes, platelets, and serum lipids was compared between subjects who had been eating a strict uncooked vegan diet (“living food”) for years and omnivore controls. The vegan diet contains equal amounts of fat but more monounsaturated and polyunsaturated and less saturated fatty acids than the mixed diet of the control group. In vegans, the proportion of linoleic acid was greater in all lipid fractions studied. Also, the levels of other n−6 fatty acids were greater, with the exception of arachidonic acid levels, which were similar in most fractions. In erythrocytes, platelets and serum phospholipid fractions, this increase was mainly at the expense of the n−3 fatty acids. The proportions of eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic acid were only 29–36% and 49–52% of those in controls, respectively. In vegans the ratio of n−3 to n−6 fatty acids was only about half that in omnivores. In addition to the lower levels of n−3 fatty acids, the proportions of palmitic and stearic acids were lower in serum cholesteryl esters, triglycerides and free fatty acids of vegans. The proportion of oleic acid was slightly lower only in serum cholesteryl esters and erythrocyte phosphatidylserine. The results show that, in the long term, the vegan diet has little effect on the proportions of oleic and arachidonic acids, whereas the levels of n−3 fatty acids are depressed to very low levels with prolonged consumption of the high linoleic and oleic acid components of this diet.     

Quantitative and qualitative analyses of isolated lipid droplets from interstitial cells in renal papillae from various species

The lipid droplets of renal papillae homogenates from four different species were obtained by ultracentrifugation. Ca. 80–98% of the lipids (triglycerides, phospholipids, free fatty acids, and cholesterol esters) consist of triglycerides. The triglycerides were fractionated by argentation thin layer chromatography and each fraction characterized by gas liquid chromatography. No fraction contained any unique triglyceride. The fatty acid composition of the total triglycerides, as analyzed by gas liquid chromatography and ozonolysis, differed markedly from the fatty acid composition of the corresponding plasma triglycerides. The papillary triglycerides were characterized by higher concentrations of stearic acid, arachidic acid, and polyunsaturated acids with 20 or more carbon atoms. Particularly interesting was the presence in the lipid droplets of docosa-7,10,13,16-tetraenoic acid. This acid has been shown to be a major component in the cholesterol ester fraction of rat and canine adrenal lipids. In the papillary triglycerides, this acid accounted for 7%, 15%, and more than 20% of the total fatty acids in the dog, rat, and rabbit, respectively. The pig differs from these three species in having only ca. 1% of this acid. These observations suggest that the interstitial cells produce these triglycerides. This production could occur either by a transacylation from phospholipids and cholesterol esters and by a de novo synthesis from locally produced fatty acids. The possibility that the triglyceride production may be involved in a control of the prostaglandin production of the renal medulla is discussed.     

Effects on plasma lipids and fatty acid composition of very low fat diets enriched with fish or kangaroo meat

The effects of very low fat diets (<7% energy) enriched with different sources of long chain (C20 and C22) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) on plasma lipid levels and plasma fatty acids (PUFA) on plasma lipid levels and plasma fatty acid composition were studied in 13 healthy volunteers. Three diets provided 500 g/day of tropical Australian fish (rich in arachidonic acid and docosahexaenoic acid), southern Australian fish (rich in docosahexaenoic acid) or kangaroo meat (rich in linoleic and arachidonic acids). The fourth diet was vegetarian, similarly low in fat but containing no 20- and 22-carbon PUFA. Subjects ate their normal or usual diets on weeks 1 and 4 and the very low fat diets in weeks 2 and 3. Weighed food intake records were kept, and weeks 2, 3 and 4 were designed to be isoenergetic with week 1. Plasma cholesterol levels fell significantly on all diets within one week. There were reductions in both low density (LDL) and high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels, with effects on HDL cholesterol being more consistent. There were no consistent or significant effects on total triglyceride levels despite the high carbohydrate content of the diets. On all diets the percentage of linoleic acid fell in the plasma phospholipid and cholesteryl ester fractions, while the percentage of palmitic acid in the phospholipids and cholesteryl esters and palmitoleic acid in the cholesteryl ester fraction rose on all diets. The percentage of arachidonic acid rose in the phospholipid and cholesteryl esters on the two diets that were good sources of this fatty acid (tropical fish and kangaroo meat). The percentage of docosahexaenoic acid also rose on the two diets that were the richest sources of this fatty acid (the fish diets), and the percentage of eicosapentaenoic acid rose in the phospholipid and cholesteryl esters in proportion to the dietary level of this fatty acid (southern fish > kangaroo > tropical fish). The changes in fatty acid composition were almost completely reversed within seven days of returning to the usual higher fat diets.     

Effects of dietary saturated andTrans fatty acids on tissue lipid composition and serum LCAT activity in the rat

Groups of rats were fed from weaning with diets containing 5% by wt of hydrogenated coconut oil (HCO), safflower oil, or a concentrate of ethyl elaidate and linolelaidate (TRANS) as the sole source of dietary fat. Fatty acid composition of the lipid classes from serum, liver, heart, and kidney was determined, and the serum lecithin: cholesterol acyl transferase (LCAT) activities were assayed for each animal. Serum LCAT activity was increased by both the HCO and TRANS diets in the early stages of the development of an essential fatty acid (EFA) deficiency but was suppressed in the animals of the TRANS group as they became older. The HCO and TRANS groups exhibited changes in tissue lipid fatty acid composition, as well as reduced growth, characteristic of an EFA deficiency. Conversion of oleic acid to eicosatrienoic acid was impaired in the animals fed the TRANS diet, greatly increasing the octadecenoic acid content of the tissue lipids at the expense of eicosatrienoic acid. The TRANS diet also suppressed incorporation of eicosatrienoic acid into cholesteryl esters of tissue and serum, indicating that, when fed as the sole source of unsaturated fat,trans fatty acids influenced the metabolism of unsaturated fatty acids and cholesterol.     

Detergent induced changes in serum lipid composition in rats

The influence ofin vivo administration of detergents on serum lipid composition was studied in rats. Male Wistar rats received 50 mg Emulgen 913 (polyoxyethylene nonylphenylether, a nonionic detergent) or SDS (sodium dodecylsulfate, an anionic detergent) per kg of body weight intraperitoneally for 3 consecutive days. Emulgen 913 and SDS administration increased the level of cholesterol esters and phospholipids, respectively. But Emulgen 913 administration reduced the level of triglycerides in the Serum, and SDS administration reduced also the levels of triglycerides and cholesterol esters. In spite of the changes in serum lipid composition, the administration of these detergents did not affect the amount of total lipids in rat serum. The proportion of palmitic, oleic, and docosahexaenoic acids in phospholipids was decreased by the administration of Emulgen 913 while the level of arachidonic acid was raised. However, the level SDS administration had no effect on the fatty acid composition of the serum phospholipids. On the other hand, both Emulgen 913 and SDS administration showed an effect on the fatty acid composition of triglycerides. It is postulated that liver damage due to administration of detergents is responsible for the changes in serum lipid and fatty acid composition in detergent-treated rats.     

Sterols and carboxylic acid‐5‐hydroxytrypt‐amides in selected tree nuts

Due to their high lipid content, tree nuts are energy‐dense foods. However, they are also sources of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids, which can affect the cardiovascular health in a positive way. Furthermore, tree nuts contain useful levels of plant sterols and their esters. The share of the esterified form ranges from 30% to 70%. Plant sterols are known to reduce serum cholesterol levels. The least known part of the lipid fraction in tree nuts is the group the carboxylic acid‐5‐hydroxytryptamides. They are suspected of causing stomach irritation, but also interfere with pain sensation. The C‐5‐HT level in tree nuts varies. Walnuts, hazelnuts, and almonds contain less than 10 mg/kg, but Brazil nuts show C‐5‐HT amounts of up to 1000 mg/kg. Therefore, tree nuts can contribute significantly to the daily intake of C‐5‐HTs. In all of the nuts analyzed, the fatty acid profiles of the TAGs and the sterol esters were similar, containing mainly oleic, linoleic and linolenic acid. In contrast, the C‐5‐HTs generally consisted of saturated long‐chain fatty acids.     

Changes in plasma lipids,lipoproteins, triglyceride secretion and removal in chicks with estrogen implants

Estradiol implants in chicks resulted in marked elevation of all major plasma lipids with greatest increase in triglyceride (TG) followed by phospholipid (PL) and cholesterol (C). During the two-wk period, plasma TG level in estrogen (E)-treated chicks increased to about 45 times that of controls (139.6 vs 6,368.3 mg/dl). The level of cholesterol also increased steadily during the same period, attaining nearly a six-fold increase in comparison with the control (150.7 vs 871.8 mg/dl), and the level of PL was markedly elevated from 209 to 2,861 mg/dl. Besides the induction of hyperlipidemia, E treatment also resulted in a notable alteration in the fatty acid composition of plasma lipids; there was an increase in oleic acid concomitant with a decrease in polyunsaturated fatty acids, particularly, linoleic acid. One day after implantation, the percentage of oleic acid in TG fraction increased from 39.2 to 43.7%, reaching 55.4% of the total fatty acids at day 14. In contrast, the levels of linoleic and arachidonic acid decreased significantly from 16.1 to 8.3% and 4.3 to 0.6%, respectively, during the same period. In cholesteryl ester (CE) and PL, the oleic acid level also increased from 25.2 to 47.3% in the former and from 11.9 to 29.6% in the latter, reflecting enhanced hepatic lipogenesis. Analysis of plasma lipoproteins in E-treated chicks revealed dramatic alterations in the concentrations of lipids and protein in individual lipoprotein fractions, especially very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) fraction. The respective levels of TG, C and PL in the VLDL fractions were 10.0, 0.6 and 1.0 mg/dl in the control, and 3,904.4, 530.3 and 1,365.2 mg/dl in chicks implanted with estrogen for seven days. The concentrations of TG, C and PL also were markedly increased in the low density lipoprotein (LDL) fraction in these birds. However, the cholesterol content of the high density lipoprotein (HDL) fraction was decreased dramatically in E-treated chicks (47.1) relative to the control (121.5 mg/dl). The protein level in the VLDL fraction from E-treated chicks was profoundly elevated to a level 300-fold greater than controls. TG secretion rates were measured in vivo following the administration of Triton WR-1339. In control chicks, plasma TG secretion rate was 2.29 mg/min; whereas, chicks treated with E for one and three days showed significantly higher TG secretion rates of 3.18 and 5.27 mg/min, respectively. TG removal rates were measured in vivo after administration of a 10% fat emulsion. Although plasma TG concentrations were different between control and E-treated birds, no significant differences were found in TG removal rates in those birds, indicating no impairment of TG clearance in E-treated chicks.     

Über trans-Lipoide: Die Lipoide des Hühnerei-Dotters

Trans Lipids: The Egg Yolk Lipids of the Hen The feeding of hens with a trans-containing edible fat resulted in an increase in the trans fatty acids of the egg yolk lipids to the extent of 10%, which completely disappeared within 14 days after stopping the trans-containing feed. The fatty acids in the triglyceride fractions contained in each case more trans unsaturated fatty acids than those in the corresponding phosphatide fractions. The gas chromatographic analysis of the fatty acid methyl esters showed that the triglycerides contained more oleic acid than the phosphatide fatty acids whereas stearic as well as polyunsaturated components were concentrated predominently in the phosphatides. The analysis of the fatty acid methyl esters from triglyceride and phosphatide fractions after feeding of trans-containing fat showed distinct changes in both the groups, thus for example a reduction of oleic acid in the neutral fat analogous to that in the total lipids as against its increase in phosphatides. The amount of linoleic acid in the phosphatide fatty acids increased while it remained constant in triglyceride fatty acids.     

Modification of the fatty acid composition of L1210 leukemia subcellular organelles

We have examined the extent to which it is possible to modify the fatty acid composition of subcellular organelles of L1210 leukemia cells. A polyunsaturated fatty acid, docosahexaenoic acid, or a monounsaturated fatty acid, oleic acid, were added to the culture media. After 48 hr, the cells were ruptured and the subcellular fractions isolated. Fatty acid analysis revealed that nuclei, mitochondria, plasma membranes and microsomes of the cells grown in media supplemented with docosahexaenoic acid contained increased amounts of polyenoic fatty acids, mean number of double bonds and docosahexaenoic acid compared with cells grown in oleic acid. We conclude that it is possible to experimentally modify the lipids of multiple intracellular structures of L1210 cells by the addition of fatty acids to the growth media.     

Lipid from yeast fermentation: Effects of cultural conditions on lipid production and its characteristics of rhodotorula glutinis

To produce lipids from microbial origins, Rhodotorula glutinis (syn. Rhodotorula gracilis) NRRL Y-1091 was cultured in batch and continuous systems under nitrogen- and carbon-limited conditions. The lipid production patterns are shown to be different from each other depending on growing conditions. In continuous cultures under nitrogen-limited conditions, the maximum lipid accumulation was observed at the lowest dilution rate examined, giving the efficiency of substrate conversion of 16.4 g lipid per 100 g glucose consumed. As the dilution rate increased, cell biomass, lipid content, lipid productivity and lipid yield decreased. In carbon-limited continuous cultures, cell biomass decreased with increasing dilution rate, but lipid content remained almost constant. Neutral lipid portions in nitrogen-limited cultured yeast cells decreased as the dilution rate increased, and glyco- and phospholipid portions showed the reverse trend. Major components in the neutral lipid portions in yeast cells are triglyceride, free fatty acid, steryl ester and sterol. Phosphatidylserine was the predominant phospholipid in yeast cells. The dilution rate also affected the fatty acid composition of all lipid portions; polyunsaturated fatty acids increased and saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids decreased with increasing dilution rates. The degrees of unsaturation of each lipid class and total lipids were also increased by increasing the dilution rate.