Spine title: Effect of pH on the fatty acid composition of pencillum chrysogenum

The normal growth pattern for Penicillium chrysogenum is characterized by changes in the fatty acid composition with increasing age of the culture. Changes in composition of the growth medium, changes in temperature, changes in pH of the medium, as well as the aging process itself have all been suggested as factors deserving consideration in determining the cause of change in fatty acid composition.In this study, the relative fatty acid composition of selected cultures of Penicillium chrysogenum allowed to grow naturally were compared with cultures in which the pH was stabilized at 7.0 and 6.0 for a period of time and then allowed to resume normal growth.The mold was grown in submerged cultures at 28°C with aeration. The pH was stabilized with sodium bicarbonate. The fatty acids were extracted and then separated and identified by thin-layer chromatography and gas-liquid chromatography.Since it has been shown previously that molds are similar in fatty acid composition to other plants, it may be possible to use information gained in this study in elucidating the effects of pH on relative fatty acid composition of related organisms.Thesis (M.A.