Age-dependent content of polymerized lipids in Sphagnum fuscum.

The polymerized lipids of Sphagnum fuscum cell wall fragments were found to be: composed of long chain hydroxy acids, long chain dicarboxylic acids, fatty alcohols and fatty acids. Their content, on a dry weight basis, was low in the topmost 3 cm of the shoot and increased with shoot age (and depth). A pronounced increase (16-fold) occurred in the contents of hydroxy acids which comprised 76% of the totals at the depth of 40-43 cm. The increase at the depth of 40-43 cm is considered to be at least partly associated with the frequently found destruction of the most susceptible part, the thin-walled stem centre. The results suggest that aliphatic lipid polymers are present and accumulated in cell walls resistant to breakdown. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]