Biohydrogenation pathways for linoleic and linolenic acids by Orpinomyces rumen fungus

The objective of this study was to identify biohydrogenation pathways for linoleic, linolenic, oleic and stearic acids by Orpinomyces species of rumen fungus during in vitro culture. Biohydrogenation of linoleic acid produced conjugated linoleic acid (cis-9, trans-11 C18:2), which was then converted to vaccenic acid (trans-11 C18:1) as the end product of biohydrogenation. Biohydrogenation of linolenic acid produced cis-9, trans-11, cis-15 C18:3 and trans-11, cis-15 C18:2 as intermediates and vaccenic acid as the end product of biohydrogenation. Oleic acid and stearic acid were not converted to any other fatty acid. It is concluded that pathways for biohydrogenation of linoleic and linolenic acids by Orpinomyces are the same as those for group A rumen bacteria.