Conversion of some C14-labelled compounds into the neutral lipid ofNeurospora crassa

Summary Conidia-free mycelia ofNeurospora crassa converted C¹⁴-acetate into neutral lipid more efficiently than C¹⁴-labelled mevalonic acid or six other compounds tested. Pyruvate, glucose, and alanine contributed little to the neutral lipid fraction, but that contribution was mainly as fatty acids. Substantial losses of C¹⁴ as carbon dioxide indicated that all of the labelled compounds participated in cell metabolism. Analysis of the fatty acids esterified to the neutral lipid of unlabelled mycelia showed that palmitic, oleic, and linoleic acids each comprised nearly one-third of the total while stearic, palmitoleic, and a small amount of unidentified acids contributed the remainder. Journal Paper No. 1557 of the Purdue Agricultural Experiment Station, Lafayette, Ind.