Changes in the lipid composition of Paecilomyces persicinus P-10 M1 during growth and cephalosporin C production.

The lipid composition of the fungus Paecilomyces persicinus P-10 M1 was monitored daily for 6 days to detect any changes during growth and cephalosporin C production. Total lipid yields and cephalosporin C production were maximal after 72 h of incubation. Analysis of the total lipids revealed that the neutral lipid fraction was elevated at this time, whereas polar lipids were depressed. Phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine represented the major phospholipids detected. Phosphatidylethanolamine levels were descending when cephalosporin C was detected at its highest concentration. Increases in phosphatidylcholine levels paralleled those of cephalosporin C but reached a maximum at 48 h after the latter. Diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidic acid, and phosphatidylserine were also detected. Fatty acids present in the total lipid fraction ranged in carbon length from C12 to C24. The major acids were C16 (palmitic), C18:1 (oleic), and C18:2 (linoleic). All fatty acids exhibited minor variations in concentration during the 6-day period, and none displayed a direct correlation with cephalosporin C yields.