ABSTRACT
Total lipids decreased during mycelial and sporophore growth, with pileus showing higher lipid content than stipe. There was a uniformity in the fatty acid profile of polar and non-polar lipids of mycelium and sporophore. Linoleic acid was dominant in lipid fractions of both mycelium and sporophore. Increasing the C:N ratio by decreasing nitrogen content of the medium while holding the carbon level constant increased lipid biosynthesis. Additions of C14:0 to the medium caused a shift in the fatty acid content of the mycelium from C18:2 to C18:1. Short chain fatty acids C8:0 to C12:0 did not generally affect mycelial growth; C10:0 being inhibitory. Vegetable oils and surfactants stimulated mycelial growth and sporophore production.