Fatty Acids Derived from Lipids of Marine Origin

Abstract

Fatty acids in sea water were found in concentrations of 1-9 [mu]g/litre and 1-30 [mu]g/ litre for the dissolved and particulate fractions, respectively. Little variations were observed with depth or along a profile from coastal waters out into the open ocean. The total dissolved fatty acid concentrations were 10 to 100 times lower than had been previously reported. The fatty acid content of surface sediments varied from 13 to 67 [mu]g/g dry weight of sediment. Six species of marine phytoplanktonic algae, two zooplankton samples [crustacean], and liver extracts from hake and whiting were analyzed for their fatty acid content. The algae showed individual patterns in the spectrum of fatty acids present. The zooplankton samples were similar to the hake and whiting liver extracts with respect to the ratios of palmitic to palmitoleic and stearic to oleic acids.