Lipid and Fatty Acid Composition of Tree‐Growing and Terrestrial Lichens

Abstract

A comparison of lipid and fatty acid composition was made of the tree‐growing lichens Evernia prunastri (L.) Ach., Parmelia saxatilis (L.) Ach. and Hypogymnia physodes (L.) Ach. and the terrestrial species Cetraria islandica (L.) Ach. and Cladonia impexa Harm. In the terrestrial species the total lipid content varied strongly during spring, while the tree‐growing species showed much less variation. Phospholipid and sterol content of all lichens was unusually low. Monoglycosyl diglyceride was absent from Parmelia saxatilis. Fatty acids common to higher plants as palmitic, stearic, oleic, linoleic and linolenic acid were invariably present in all lichen species. In addition large quantities of extra‐long chain fatty acids like behenic acid, eicosadienoic acid and cyclic aliphatic lichen acids were present in the terrestrial species. The degree of (poly) unsaturation decreased in the order Evernia prunastri, Parmelia saxatilis. Fatty acids common to higher plants as palmitic, stearic, impexa, which decrease was compensated by an increase in extralong chain fatty acids and lichen acids. It is suggested that the lichen acids are of adaptive value for lichen species growing in the terrestrial habitats, which were characterized by extreme diurnal temperature variations. Just as the polyunsaturated fatty acids, lichen acids guarantee at lower temperatures a high flexibility of the membranes involved, at the same time as they are less susceptible to photo‐oxidation at the high daytime temperatures.

Fatty acid composition of lipids present in selected lichenized fungi: A chemotyping study

“…Many different types of lipids occur in lichens, including fatty acids, phospholipids, and glycolipids (1)(2)(3)(4)(5)(6). A β-galactosyl ceramide and digalactosylglyceride were found in Ramalina celastri (5,6), the latter being isolated from a Sticta sp.…”

Characterization of lyso-galactolipids, C-2 and C-3O-acyl trigalactosylglycerol isomers, obtained from the lichenized fungusDictyonema glabratum

“…Little attention has been paid to the lipid components of lichenized fungi. The best known class in lichens are the fatty acids [1,2]. Another important class of lipids are the glycolipids, such structures having many properties and functions, principally in relation to the cell surface as receptors in viral recognition, in which their conformation is essential in determining their function [3].…”

“…Another important class of lipids are the glycolipids, such structures having many properties and functions, principally in relation to the cell surface as receptors in viral recognition, in which their conformation is essential in determining their function [3]. The most abundant glycolipids in plants and lichenized fungi are the glycosyldiacylglycerides [2,4]. Their structures have been completely characterized in the ascomycetous Ramalina celastri [5], and in the basidiolichen Dictyonema glabratum [6] using spectroscopic methods.…”

Characterization of lyso-galactolipids, C-2 and C-3 O-acyl trigalactosylglycerol isomers, obtained from the lichenized fungus Dictyonema glabratum

“…The best known class in lichens are the fatty acids [1,2]. Another important class of lipids are the glycolipids, such structures having many properties and functions, principally in relation to the cell surface as receptors in viral recognition, in which their conformation is essential in determining their function [3].…”

“…Another important class of lipids are the glycolipids, such structures having many properties and functions, principally in relation to the cell surface as receptors in viral recognition, in which their conformation is essential in determining their function [3]. The most abundant glycolipids in plants and lichenized fungi are the glycosyldiacylglycerides [2,4]. Their structures have been completely characterized in the ascomycetous Ramalina celastri [5], and in the basidiolichen Dictyonema glabratum [6] using spectroscopic methods.…”