Fatty acids of brown algae from the Russian far east

Abstract Twenty species of brown algae belonging to the Chordariales, Ralfsiales, Dictyosiphonales, Scytosiphonales, Desmarestiales, Laminariales and Fucales orders were investigated for their fatty acid composition by capillary gas chromatography. Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) with 18 and 20 carbon atoms, palmitic and oleic acids were major components. No correlation between the taxonomic position of the brown algal species and the distribution of these acids was found. Peculiarities of fatty acid composition were shown for members of the Fucaceae only, which contained the highest percentages of 14:0 and 18:1(n–9), the lowest amounts of (n–3) PUFAs and had a C 20 non-methylene interrupted acid. Agarum cribrosum had fatty acid patterns unique for the Phaeophyta. The occurrence of the rare C 16 PUFAs, 18:2(n–4) and a high content of 22:5(n–3) were a characteristic feature of this alga. Fatty acid composition of brown algae depends on different factors and the extent of their influence is species-specific.