J E De Moreno, V J Moreno, R R Brenner
The fate of labeled linoleic, alpha-linolenic, and higher homologs of alpha-linolenic acid administered to the yellow clam, Mesodesma mactroides, was investigated. It was found that the clam incorporated the acids dissolved in sea water and converted 18:2 (n-6) into 20:2 (n-6) and 18:3 (n-3) into 18:4 (n-3) and 20:3 (n-3). The addition of casein hydrolysate to the sea water increased the desaturation capacity of the calm and allowed the conversion of 18:2 (n-6) into 18:3 (n-6) to be demonstrated. An enhanced desaturation of 18:3 (n-3) into 18:4 (n-3) was also demonstrated...
July 1976: Lipids