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Metabolism and Enzymology

6 Desaturase Inhibition ¹

A Novel Mode of Action of Norflurazone

The Laboratory for Microalgal Biotechnology, Jacob Blaustein Institute for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede-Boker Campus 84993, Israel, Plant Adaptation Research Unit, Jacob Blaustein Institute for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Sede-Boker Campus 84993, Israel

The herbicide Norflurazone was shown to be an inhibitor of fatty acid of the 6 desaturation system. Treating cultures of the microalgae Spirulina platensis or Monodus subterraneus with this herbicide brought about a reduction in the level of -linolenic acid and in an increase in the level of linoleic acid. In Monodus, the increase in linoleic acid made it more available for 3 desaturation, resulting in an increase in the proportion of eicosapentaenoic acid. The proportion of arachidonic acid did not decrease albeit the drastic decrease in its precursor -linolenic acid.