Occurrence of a 22∶2 nonmethylene interrupted dienoic fatty acid and its seasonal distribution among lipids and tissues of the fresh water bivalveDiplodon delodontus from an isolated environment.

Realatively high levels of a non-methylene-interrupted dienoic fatty acid were detected in the freshwater molluscDiplodon delodontus. The (7,13) 22∶2 NMID fatty acid was separated from total fatty acids by TLC, and its structure was determined by GLC and reductive ozonolysis. Its seasonal distribution was investigated in different tissues and lipids of the mollusc. High concentrations of this acid were found in polar lipids. The absence of the 22∶2 NMID fatty acid in the lipids of plankton and sediment in the same habitat suggests that it may be biosynthesized by themollusc. Possible synthesis and functions of the NMID fatty acids are discussed.