Lipid content in leaves of Deschampsia antarctica from maritime Antartica

Polar lipids and the composition of fatty acids in phospholipids and galactolipids were analysed in leaves and roots. Compared to other Gramineae, no unusual contents in polar lipids and in the degree of no saturation of fatty acids in most lipid fractions were found.

The highest unsaturation ratio (unsaturated/saturated fatty acids) of 3.3 was found in the phosphatidylinositol fraction. Although summer environmental temperatures in Robert Island are usually around 0 degrees, leaves often reach higher temperatures, which are near their photosynthetic optimum.