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Biosynthesis of eicosapentaenoic acid in the sea urchin Psammechinus miliaris

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Lipids

Abstract

The sea urchin Psammechinus miliaris (Gmelin) (Echinodermata: Echinoidea) was shown by using a deuterated tracer (D5−18∶3n−3) and quantitation by negative chemical ionization gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to convert 18∶3n−3 to 20∶5n−3. The rate of conversion was very slow, corresponding to 0.09 μg/g tissue/mg 18∶3n−3 eaten over 14 d. Deuterated arachidonic acid (D8−20∶4n−6) was also included in the diet to give a measure of the relative amounts of diet eaten by the different animals. The recovery of this fatty acid in tissue lipids was 33.7% compared with only 0.95% recovery of D5−18∶3n−3 and its anabolites, indicating that the majority of the D5-tracer was catabolized. Considerable elongation of D5−18∶3n−3 into 20∶3n−3 and a trace of 22∶3n−3 was found, and these were accompanied by minor amounts of the intermediates 18∶4n−3 and 20∶4n−3. No deuterated 22∶6n−3 was found.

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Abbreviations

D n :

deuterated

GC-MS:

gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

PUFA:

polyunsaturated fatty acid

tri23∶0:

tritricosanoyl

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Dunnstaffnage Marine Laboratory, Scottish Association of Marine Sciences, PA34 4AD, Oban, Scotland

    Maeve S. Kelly

  2. Institute of Aquaculture, School of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, FK9 4LA, Stirling, Scotland, UK

    Michael V. Bell & James R. Dick

Authors
  1. Michael V. Bell
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  2. James R. Dick
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  3. Maeve S. Kelly
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Correspondence to Michael V. Bell.

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Bell, M.V., Dick, J.R. & Kelly, M.S. Biosynthesis of eicosapentaenoic acid in the sea urchin Psammechinus miliaris . Lipids 36, 79–82 (2001). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11745-001-0671-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11745-001-0671-2

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