Occurrence of Conjugated Polyenoic Fatty Acids in Seaweeds from the Indian Ocean

Three species of red marine macro algae (Rhodophyta) from the Indian Ocean were analysed
for the occurrence of conjugated polyenes. The composition of different lipid classes
in these seaweeds along with their fatty acid composition has also been reported. Analysis
of lipid classes of these seaweeds revealed that both Acanthophora spicifera (Ceramiales,
Rhodophyta) and two species of Gracilaria, viz. G. edulis and G. folifera (Gracilariales, Rhodophyta)
were rich in glycolipids followed by neutral- and phospholipids. The fatty acid
composition of these seaweeds revealed C16:0 as the predominant fatty acid in all three
species. However, A. spicifera had significantly higher amounts of eicosapentaenoic acid
(EPA) and arachidonic acid (AA) as compared to negligible amount of these fatty acids in
both species of Gracilaria. The red seaweed Acanthophora spicifera contained conjugated
eicosapentaenoic acid (CEPA) and conjugated arachidonic acid (CAA) in all lipid classes
except glycolipids.