The lipids of three psychrophilic yeasts of the genus Candida, grown a t lo0, were compared with those of a mesophilic yeast (Candida lipoly'ica) grown a t 2S0 and a t 10'. All the yeasts examined had siinilar contents of total lipids and of phosphatides, and similar phosphatide and neutral lipid compositions. However, the total fatty acids of the psychrophiles and of the inesophile grown a t 10' had much higher proportions of linoleic acid and lower proportions of oleic acid than those of the mesophilic yeast grown a t 25'; the psychrophilic yeasts also contained linoleiiic acid, not detected in the mesophilic yeast. The fatty acid cornposition of the psychrophilic yeast remained fairly constant during its growth cycle, but that of the mesophilic yeast a t 10' showed marked changes in the proportions of oleic and linoleic acids in the early stages of growth; siinilar changes occurred in the mesophile grown a t 2S0, but a t much faster rates. (111 the basis of these observations and others it is concluded that in the early stages of growth of the mesophile a t 2S0 and lo0, oleic acid is converted rapidly to linoleic, which is then oxidatively metabolized during the later stages of active growth. 'I'he higher proportions of linoleic acid in the mesophile grown a t 10' could be accounted for by a slower rate of metabolism of linoleic acid during the later stages of growth a t the lower temperature. 1Manuscript received March 30, 1962. Can. J. Biochem. Physiol. Downloaded from www.nrcresearchpress.com by University of P.E.I. on 08/16/15 For personal use only.