Fatty acids and sterols of Cronartium fusiforme basidiospores.

The hydrocarbons, fatty acids, and sterols of Cronartium fusiforme basidiospores were examined by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. Trace quantities of aliphatic hydrocarbons were detected, but these were probably not fungal products. Principal nonsubstituted fatty acids were palmitic (11.7%), linoleic (17.2%), and linolenic (16.1%) acids; the predominant acid was 9,10-cis-epoxyocta-decanoic acid (40.7%). Four sterols were detected, three of which were identified as stigmast-7-enol (57.6%), stigmasta-5, 7-dienol (22.7%), and ergost-7-enol (16.0%). The fourth sterol (4%) is a C28 diene. Lipids of the aeciospores and basidiospores of C. fusiforme are compared.