Methods of Lipid Analyses for Microalgae: Charophytes, Eustigmatophytes, and Euglenophytes

Algae are ecologically important organisms and are widely used for basic research, with a focus on for example photosynthesis, evolution, and lipid metabolism. Many biosynthetic pathways of algal lipids have been deciphered using available genomic information. Here we describe methods for lipid analyses from three representative algae, including Archaeplastida, the SAR lineage (Stramenopiles, Alveolata, Rhizaria), and Excavata. Archaeplastida acquired their plastids by primary endosymbiosis, and the others by secondary endosymbiosis with a Rhodophyceae-type plastid in SAR and a Chlorophyceae-type plastid in Excavata (Euglenozoa). Analytical methods for these algae are described for membrane lipids and neutral lipids including triacylglycerol and wax esters.