495Eighteen different algal cultures were examined for their ability to metabolize naphthalene. The strains tested included nine cyanobacteria (blue-green algae), five green algae, one red alga and one brown alga; two diatoms were also examined. All these organisms oxidized naphthalene under photoautotrophic conditions. Experiments with [14C]naphthalene showed that each organism oxidized naphthalene to at least six metabolites. One of the metabolites was identified as 1-naphthol. Under the experimental conditions used in this study the extent of naphthalene metabolism to organic-soluble derivatives ranged from 0.1 to 2-4 %.
The hydrocarbon compositions of 11 species of blue-green algae are simple and qualitatively similar. Three marine coccoids contain only monoenoic and dienoic C(19) hydrocarbons. Hydrocarbons of the remaining eight species are C(15) to C(18). Hydrocarbons of higher molecular weight (C(20) or more) were not detected. Blue-green algae do not appear to be the source material for the longchain (greater than 20 carbons) hydrocarbons found in ancient sediments.
Analyses of the total lipids of 11 species of blue-green algae showed a simple but qualitatively variable fatty acid composition. The species can be grouped in three categories on the basis of their oleic, linoleic, and linolenic acid content. One species was unusual in that the ten-carbon acid accounts for one-half of its total fatty acid. Branched chain acids are absent in the algae, but are major components of marine bacteria. The geochemical significance of the data is discussed.
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