Pfizer Handbook of Microbial Metabolites 



50 



CHalCHj),!— CH— COOH 



I 



CH— COOH 



CH3 

 Roccellic Acid 



CHalCHj),— CH— COOH 



I 

 O C— COOH 



/ 



o=c 



\ 



CH2— CH2 



Spiculisporic Acid 



Lipide production by microorganisms varies widely, some 

 yeasts and molds producing up to 50% of their dry weight. 

 Yeasts were used for commercial submerged culture production 

 of fat during World War II in Germany. 



It has been estimated that 80-90% of all fatty acids in plants 

 and higher animals occur as esters — triglycerides and phospho- 

 lipides. In microorganisms a high percentage of the lipides 

 seem to be bound in some way, perhaps as lipoproteins, liposac- 

 charides, sterol esters, etc., and a preliminary acid hydrolysis is 

 required before complete extraction. 



The fatty acid contents of the fats produced by a few molds 

 and yeasts have been studied in detail, and several of these are 

 reproduced in the following table. 



TABLE I 

 Componenf Faffy Ac/ds of Fofs Produced by Microorganisms 



