Lipid changes during the germination of teliospores of the common bunt fungus, Tilletia caries

Abstract

The lipids in teliospores of Tilletia caries were analyzed at 12 different sample periods during the germination process. The lipid analysis included the separation and identification of hydrocarbons, natural methyl esters of fatty acids, and free fatty acids. Dormant spores contained more free fatty acids than natural methyl esters of fatty acids. However, 12 h after imbibition of water, the free fatty acid content was a small percentage of the total fatty acid content and the natural methyl esters were then the major lipid fraction, and they remained the major lipid fraction throughout germination. Stable isotope [2H] exchange experiments indicated that the methylation of the fatty acids was not an artifact of the extraction process. The role of natural methyl esters of fatty acid in the germination process is not clear.