Phospholipid FA from indian ocean tunicates Eudistoma bituminis and Cystodytes violatinctus

Two tunicates (Fudistoma bituminis and Cystodytes violatinctus, family Polycitoridae) were investigated for the FA content of their phospholipids. GC‐MS analysis of their methyl esters and N‐acyl pyrrolidides revealed 40 FA in E. bituminis, and 26 in C. violatinctus. In both cases, the most abundant FA were the saturated ones (C10 to C18). Cystodytes violatinctus contained considerable oleic acid (20%). Both E. bituminis and C. violatinctus contained phytanic acid and Δ10‐unsaturated FA, which had not previously been found in such organisms. The two tropical tunicates contained only trace amounts of PUFA, which are usually predominant in this phylum.