Abstract
Changes in fatty acids and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) concentrations in the acetic acid treated red al-gae Gracilaria (G.) asiatica and G. rhodocaudata samples were investigated. Fatty acid concentrations increased in lipid, particularly phospholipid and free fatty acid classes of ogonori treated with 4% acetic acid at 37°C and heated at 100°C. In the acetic acid treated ogonori, free arachidonic acid (AA) significantly increased, but PGE2 decreased. These results suggested that the enhancement of AA would be due to the depression of PGE2 formation from AA with the acetic acid treatment. Fatty acids concentrations varied according to species of ogonori. AA concentration of G. asiatica, acausal species of human poisonings which occurred in Japan, showed higher levels in both the raw andacetic acid treated than that of G. rhodocaudata.
