Deterioration in fatty acid level of Prunus amygdalus and Pinus gerardiana during infestation with toxigenic strain of Aspergillus flavus

Abstract

Deterioration in the fatty acid level of Prunus amygdalus and Pinus gerardiana during infestation with toxigenic strain of Aspergillus flavus was studied. The methyl esters of mixed fatty acids were subjected to Gas Liquid Chromatography (GLC). The number and concentration of fatty acids reduced in the oil of infested sample and some of the peaks disappeared while one new peak i.e. gadoleic acid appeared in the infested sample. This might be due to the microbial conversion of fatty acids. Depletion in fatty acid content under infestation may be attributed to their utilization or degradation into simpler forms. Increase in the conc. of capric acid in P. gerardiana and palmitic acid in P. amygdalus might be due to accumulation of fatty acids produced by the fungal mycelium.