Fatty acid metabolism of the calanoid copepod Paracalanus parvus: 2. Palmitate, stearate, oleate and acetate.

The de novo biosynthesis of fatty acids in the wild, calanoid copepod Paracalanus parvus was studied. The incubation of labeled acetate proved the de novo biosynthesis of saturated and monounsaturated even fatty acids from 14 to 20 carbons and the 22:1 acid. Saturated and monounsaturated uneven fatty acids from 15 to 21 carbons were also synthesized. The copepod could not synthesize linoleic and alpha-linolenic acids. By administration of [1-14C]palmitate, [1-14C]stearate and [1-14C]oleate, it was possible to elucidate the general pattern of the de novo biosynthesis of fatty acids in the wild P. parvus.