ISSN:
1550-7408
Source:
Blackwell Publishing Journal Backfiles 1879-2005
Topics:
Biology
Notes:
Ergosterol was isolated from the non-saponifiable lipids of Euglena. For this, after saponification of the cells, the petroleum-ether extract was chromatographed on deactivated alumina. Development was achieved by pet. ether and 10% (v/v) benzene in pet. ether, and the sterol fraction was subsequently eluted with 10% (v/v) ethyl acetate in pet. ether. This sterol was identified as ergosterol by a) precipitation with digitonin, b) The Liebermann-Burchard reaction, c) co-chromatography with known ergosterol, d) ultraviolet absorption spectrum, e) conversion to the acetate with determination of the melting and mixed melting points and !” infra-red absorption spectrum of the acetate derivative. By these techniques, ergosterol content was measured in the-following strains of Euglena gracilis under various conditions of nutrition and illumination: bacillaris and Z strains, and several albino and pigment mutants derived from them. A. functional chloroplast seems unnecessary for ergosterol synthesis; the ergosterol content of cells (dry weight basis) was constant regardless of strain and growth conditions.
Type of Medium:
Electronic Resource
URL:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1550-7408.1960.tb00707.x
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