[Action of the unsaponifiable components of the most common edible oils on the growth of the alga Euglena gracilis. Preliminary studies].

Within the sphere of the researches the biological effects of the most common edible oils (peanuts, sunflower, maize, soya and rectified olive) it has been studied the interaction between the development of the Euglena gracilis unicellular seaweed and the presence of the unsaponifiables examined in their cultures. As a biologically active substance it has been used 3,4-benzopyrene. Spectrophotometric analysis have evidenced that all the unsaponifiables, especially those of the soya seeds, caused a growth decrease of the seaweed culture. A similar effect is found in the cultures treated with aromatic hydrocarbon.