不同脂类营养对中华绒螯蟹(Eriocheir sinensis)幼蟹生长、成活、肝胰腺指数和生化成分的影响

采用生长评价、生化分析等方法,比较了饲料中不同脂类营养对中华绒螯蟹幼蟹(2.4g左右)生长、成活和生化成分含量的影响,实验分为A组饲料雌体(AF组)、A组饲料雄体(AM组)、B组饲料雌体(BF组)和B组饲料雄体(BM组).结果表明,饲料中缺乏PL和HUFA对幼蟹60天内的生长和成活并没有显著影响,但是其肝胰腺指数、肝胰腺和肌肉中的总脂及18:2n-6含量呈上升趋势.而其肝胰腺和肌肉的胆固醇、PL和HuFA含量均呈下降趋势(BF和BM组),这可能会进一步影响到幼蟹的内分泌调控和生殖蜕壳.     

Assessment of storage lipid accumulation patterns in eucalanoid copepods from the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean

Members of the copepod family Eucalanidae are widely distributed throughout the world׳s oceans and have been noted for their accumulation of storage lipids in high- and low-latitude environments. However, little is known about the lipid composition of eucalanoid copepods in low-latitude environments. The purpose of this study was to examine fatty acid and alcohol profiles in the storage lipids (wax esters and triacylglycerols) of Eucalanus inermis, Rhincalanus rostrifrons, R. nasutus, Pareucalanus attenuatus, and Subeucalanus subtenuis, collected primarily in the eastern tropical north Pacific near the Tehuantepec Bowl and Costa Rica Dome regions, noted for its oxygen minimum zone, during fall 2007 and winter 2008/2009. Adult copepods and particulate material were collected in the upper 50 m and from 200 to 300 m in the upper oxycline. Lipid profiles of particulate matter were generated to help ascertain information on ecological strategies of these species and on differential accumulation of dietary and modified fatty acids in the wax ester and triacylglycerol storage lipid components of these copepods in relation to their vertical distributions around the oxygen minimum zone. Additional data on phospholipid fatty acid and sterol/fatty alcohol fractions were also generated to obtain a comprehensive lipid data set for each sample. Rhincalanus spp. accumulated relatively large amounts of storage lipids (31–80% of dry mass (DM)), while E. inermis had moderate amounts (2–9% DM), and P. attenuatus and S. subtenuis had low quantities of storage lipid (0–1% DM). E. inermis and S. subtenuis primarily accumulated triacylglycerols (>90% of storage lipids), while P. attenuatus and Rhincalanus spp. primarily accumulated wax esters (>84% of storage lipids). Based on previously generated molecular phylogenies of the Eucalanidae family, these results appear to support genetic predisposition as a major factor explaining why a given species accumulates primarily triacylglycerols or wax esters, and also potentially dictating major fatty acid and alcohol accumulation patterns within the more highly modified wax ester fraction. Comparisons of fatty acid profiles between triacylglycerol and wax ester components in copepods with that in available prey suggested that copepod triacylglycerols were more reflective of dietary fatty acids, while wax esters contained a higher proportion of modified or de novo synthesized forms. Sterols and phospholipid fatty acids were similar between species, confirming high levels of regulation within these components. Similarities between triacylglycerol fatty acid profiles of E. inermis collected in surface waters and at >200 m depth indicate little to no feeding during their ontogenetic migration to deeper, low-oxygen waters.     

海洋微藻高度不饱和脂肪酸的硏究 Ⅲ,高度不饱和脂肪酸从海洋微藻向卤虫传递的研究

很多研究表明,n-3高度不饱和脂肪酸(n3-PUFA)是海洋动物,特别是其幼体生长发育所必需的营养成分,(Kanazawa et al.,1979; Levine et al.,1984)。很多海洋微藻中含有很高浓度的n3-PUFA,因此在水产养殖中,为了提高鱼、虾幼苗的成活率,增强幼体的体质,常用微藻来强化培养轮虫和卤虫,以提高其n3-PUFA的含量(赖户明1993;Ben-Amotz et al,,1987),为此我们选择了DHA含量比较高而EPA含量很低的金藻3011(Isochrysis galbana)、EPA含量较高而DHA含量很低的三角褐指藻2038(Pheaodactylum tricornutum)和小球藻(Chlorella sp.),研究了它们体内的EPA和DHA向卤虫传递的情况,同时用不含PUFA的面包酵母作对照,为水产养殖中进行卤虫的强化培养提供依据。     

锯缘青蟹卵黄发生期卵巢和肝胰腺脂类的变化

锯缘青蟹2次卵巢发育时的卵黄发生旺期与卵黄发生初期相比,卵巢指数和卵巢脂肪含量(%卵巢干重或湿重)均显著增加,积累了大量的脂类,而这一时期的肝胰腺指数和肝胰腺脂肪含量均无显著变化,说明在卵黄发生时期,肝胰腺吸收的脂肪均及时转运到正在发育的卵巢.卵黄发生期,卵巢或肝胰腺磷脂/总脂的百分含量,均无显著变化,肝胰腺中游离脂肪酸逐步增加,甚至在卵黄发生后期超过甘油三酯的含量.卵黄发生阶段,无论肝胰腺或卵巢,其磷脂长链多不饱和脂肪酸显著高于中性脂,而饱和脂肪酸含量相对较低;肝胰腺脂类脂肪酸组成的最主要变化是中性脂的n3系列的长链多不饱和脂肪酸,尤其是C22:6n3显著降低.卵黄发生初期,肝胰腺磷脂与卵巢中性脂的脂肪酸组成(肝胰腺转运脂肪时,首先要将吸收或储存的脂类转换成磷脂,才能运出)无显著差异,但卵黄发生旺期,肝胰腺磷脂的长链多不饱和脂肪酸显著高于卵巢中性脂的含量.文中讨论了这些变化的原因.     

Life strategies,energetics and growth characteristics of Calanoides carinatus (Copepoda) in the Angola-Benguela frontal region

Rates of daily egg production, moulting and egg hatching success, as well as total lipid content and composition of Calanoides carinatus, were measured in the region of the southern Angola Curre nt SAC), the Angola-Benguela Front (ABF) and the coastal upwelling area of the northern Benguela Current (NBC) system during February–March 2002. There were distinct differences in the vertical distribution, growth characteristics, lipid content and composition of populations in the SAC/ABF and NBC regions, indicative of different physiological states. Whereas in the NBC, C. carinatus was actively growing in response to elevated chlorophyll a levels associated with coastal upwelling, it comprised deep-living C5 copepodids with very large wax ester reseves (c. 40–50% dry mass) and extremely low metabolism in the SAC/ABF, suggesting diapause. This study provides the first data on lipid composition (lipid classes, fatty acids and alcohols) of this copepod in the region; in particular, the diapausing C5 contained high-levels of long-chain, mono-unsaturated fatty acids (23% of all fatty acids) and alcohols (69% of all fatty alcohols) in addition to trophic markers of diatoms, viz. 16:1(n-7) and 20:5(n-3). Based on total lipidcontent, the maximum survival time of the diapausal component of C. carinatus was estimated to be 149–192 days, whereas active surface-dwelling C5s and females could not survive for more than 10 days without feeding.     

海水和淡化养殖凡纳滨对虾的组织成分比较研究

对海水（盐度为28）和淡化（盐度为2）条件下养殖8周的凡纳滨对虾体营养成分蛋白质、脂肪、灰分、矿物质、氨基酸以及脂肪酸组成等进行了比较研究.2种盐度养殖的全虾粗蛋白与粗脂肪含量没有显著差异,但淡化养殖的全虾灰分含量显著降低.从2种盐度养殖的虾壳、肝胰腺、肌肉与血清等组织的矿物元素含量来看,淡化养殖对对虾的组织矿化程度造成一定的影响.淡化养殖的对虾血清蛋白含量下降,而肝胰腺指数却显著上升.2种盐度养殖的对虾肌肉氨基酸总量与脂肪酸总量没有显著差异,但淡化养殖的对虾肌肉必需氨基酸含量上升,而不饱和脂肪酸含量略微下降.结果表明,盐度对对虾各组织成分的影响是对虾对不同盐度的生境进行渗透调节与离子调控的适应性反应.     

野生对虾与养殖对虾脂肪酸组成和含量的比较

野生中国对虾(Penaeus chinensis)脂肪酸的组成类似于其他的海洋动物,即雌、雄虾的肝胰脏和肌肉中,棕榈酸(16:0)和n-3族高不饱和脂肪酸(如20:5n-3和22:6n-3)占优势。野生虾体内含有的脂肪酸种类,尤其是高不饱和脂肪酸的种类多于养殖虾。野生虾肝胰脏中主要脂肪酸为16:0(20.0～22.5%),18:0(2.5～2.9%),18:1 n-9(12.3～14.0%),18:2 n-6(2.4～2.6%),20:5 n-3(6.1～6.6%)和22:6 n-3(7.1～7.5%)。肌肉中的主要脂肪酸种类大致与肝胰脏中相同。养殖虾中除了18:2 n-6(6.3～13.0%)高于和16:l(3.6～4.2%)低于野生虾外,其余的基本类似。野生虾比养殖虾有较高水平的n-3族和较低水平的n-6族不饱和脂肪酸,且野生虾n-3/n-6族脂肪酸的比率同样大于养殖虾。     

Lipid biomarkers of deep-sea hydrothermal vent polychaetes—Alvinella pompejana, A. caudata, Paralvinella grasslei and Hesiolyra bergii

The lipid composition was determined for 5 species of polychaete annelids collected by the Deep Submergence Vehicle ALVIN from high temperature chimneys at the 2500 m depth hydrothermal vent field of the East Pacific Rise. These are the first lipid biomarker analyses reported for these hydrothermal vent polychaetes. Lipid content was low in all samples (1.6–35.9 mg g^–1 wet mass) and was dominated by polar lipid (78–90% of total lipid) with 8–19% sterol (ST), and very low storage lipid (triacylglycerol and wax ester). Total polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) were moderately high (22–31% of total fatty acids (FA)) with extremely low or no docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 22:6(n-3)). Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5(n-3)) levels were 5–6% in Alvinella pompejana and A. caudata and 10.3–13.7% in an errantiate polychaete (likely Hesionidae) and Hesiolyra bergii. There were greater PUFA and a greater EPA/AA (AA is arachidonic acid, 20:4(n-6)) ratio in the anterior versus the posterior half of A. pompejana, which may correlate to the strong temperature gradient reported in its tube. Total nonmethylene interrupted diunsaturated fatty acids (NMID) were 4–9% of total FA for most polychaete species and included several 20:2 and 22:2 components. The principal monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) included 18:1(n-7)c (14–19%), 16:1(n-7)c (2.6–10%) and 20:1(n-11)c (3–7% of total FA). These polychaete species may desaturate and elongate the bacterial-derived 18:1(n-7)c to obtain the essential FA EPA and AA. The major ST in the polychaetes is cholesterol (89–98% of total ST) with less cholesterol in the gut contents of A. pompejana. Other ST included 24-ethylcholesterol (1.5–5% of total ST) with lesser amounts of 24-methylenecholesterol, desmosterol, lathosterol, 24-methylcholesterol, 24-ethylcholesterol, and the stanols dehydrocholestanol and cholestanol. The high ST levels could play a role in thermal adaptation of membranes at the hydrothermal vent environment. Differences in the FA profiles separated the closely related species A. pompejana and A. caudata from Paralvinella grasslei, H. bergii, and the errantiate polychaete (likely Hesionidae).     

Effect of dietary docosahexaenoic acid on lipogenesis and lipolysis in black sea bream, Acanthopagrus schlegeli

1 IntroductionIt is well known that varying dietary fatty acidprofile affects the tissue fatty acid composition and e-ven the growth performance in fish ( Bell et al.,2002; Figueiredo -Silva et al., 2005; Harel andPlace, 2003; Schulz et al., 2005; Tocher et al.,2003). Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), an importantessential fatty acid for marine species, has the effectnot only on the fatty acid profile of fish body tissue,but also on biological and physiological conditions(Ishizaki et al., 2000; …     

角毛藻属(7株)总脂含量及脂肪酸组成的比较研究

在温度为25±1°C,盐度为28的条件下,用F/2培养基对七株角毛藻(Chaetocerosspp.)进行培养.在指数生长期末期进行收获.测定了七株角毛藻的总脂含量及脂肪酸组成.其主要脂肪酸为14:0(3.0-24.92),16:0(8.2-28.5%),16:1n-7(16.0-42.3%)和20:5n-3(4.2-10.42),其中B13的20:5n-3含量最高,占总脂肪酸的10.4%     

光照强度对海洋微藻脂肪含量及脂肪酸组成影响的研究

近年来，海洋微藻脂肪酸组成的研究及其应用越来越受到国内外科学家的重视。高度不饱和脂肪酸(PUFA)，特别是长链的n-3 PUFA，如二十碳五烯酸(EPA)和二十二碳六烯酸(DHA)对海洋动物和人类都具有营养学和医学上的价值。在海洋微藻的培养过程中，光照强度是海洋微藻生长的条件之一，光线的明与暗，光度的强与弱，不仅对微藻的生长速率、产量有影响，而且对其脂肪含量和脂肪酸的组成也有影响(Teshima et al.，1983；Thompson et al.，1990； Renaud et al., 1991)。 作者在以往研究的基础上，选择了3种有代表性的海洋微藻：(1)小球藻Chlorella sp-2(李荷芳等，1999)，此藻脂肪酸中EPA含量高、且不含DHA；(2)球等鞭金藻(Isochrysis galbana)，该藻DHA含量较高，但几乎不含EPA；(3)前沟藻(Amphidinium sp.)的EPA、DHA含量均高。将以上3种微藻作为原料，在不同的光照强度下进行培养，测定并分析藻体中的脂肪含量和脂肪酸组成的变化，从而了解光强对海洋微藻脂肪含量及其脂肪酸组成的影响。     

Does PCB accumulation affect the lipid metabolism of the reproductively active oyster Crassostrea virginica?

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) pose a severe ecological risk. They are hydrophobic and are efficiently sequestered in lipid-rich tissues. Lipids function as energy reserves and as membrane components, and are essential for growth and reproductive processes in bivalves. Accumulation of PCBs may affect the mobilization of lipid reserves and membrane lipid composition; thus they may also impair reproductive and developmental processes. To test whether there are any changes in lipid metabolism, the lipid class and fatty acid composition in structural and reserve lipids of visceral mass, gills and mantle, and eggs of reproductively active oysters were examined. Oysters were fed daily with 0.2 g algal paste containing 0, 0.1, or 1.0 μg PCBs for 15 and 30 days. PCBs in the oyster tissues and eggs were also quantified. After 30 days of exposure PCBs were highly accumulated, up to 2635 ng/g in the visceral mass, 1880 ng/g in gill+mantle, and 671 ng/g (dry wt. bases). No significant changes were noted in either lipid class composition or fatty acid composition of structural or reserve lipids from PCB-exposed oyster tissues and eggs.     

卤虫无节幼体的营养强化对黑斑口虾蛄(Oratosquilla kempi)幼体发育的影响

用扁藻、酵母、“鱼油 酵母”强化和“不强化”4种方式处理的卤虫无节幼体投喂黑斑口虾蛄各期幼体,比较不同强化方法对黑斑口虾蛄幼体成活率、变态率、生长速度及总脂与脂肪酸组成的影响。结果表明,3种方式强化12h后的卤虫无节幼体与对照组相比,总脂含量都有不同程度的增加。卤虫无节幼体的脂肪酸组成与强化方式密切相关,其中“鱼油 酵母”强化的卤虫无节幼体20∶5n-3(EPA)和22∶6n-3(DHA)占总脂肪酸的比例最高,分别为5·74%和4·84%。投喂强化后富含EPA和DHA的卤虫无节幼体,可增加黑斑口虾蛄幼体体内脂肪酸尤其是EPA和DHA等不饱和脂肪酸的含量,从而提高其幼体的成活率、变态率与发育速度。     

Topographical distribution of lipids inside the mandibular fat bodies of odontocetes: remarkable complexity and consistency

Odontocetes possess unusual and specialized mandibular fat bodies in and around their lower jaws. These tissues have been proposed to facilitate sound reception and are composed of unusual endogenously synthesized lipids. Little is known about how the topographical arrangement of the lipid molecules in these tissues influences sound reception. We examined the lipid composition of the mandibular fat bodies, using a fine-scale approach, on six specimens (representing four odontocete families). We show that odontocete jaw lipids exhibit a complex structural three-dimensional topography. Different odontocetes synthesize and deposit slightly different molecules, but the relative arrangement of the lipids within each head showed marked consistency. Mandibular fats of beaked whales were uniquely dominated by isolauric acid (i-12:0). In contrast, the dolphin and porpoise biosynthesized isovaleric acid (i-5:0), while the pygmy sperm whale deposited medium-length (10-14 carbons) straight-chain lipids. In all heads examined, the shortest and branched-chain ("i") fatty acids were concentrated in the center of the jaw fats, which connect intimately with the ears. We hypothesize that in odontocete jaws, this arrangement may serve to channel an incoming sound to the ears because sound travels slower through shorter branched-chain fatty acids than through longer straight-chain fatty acids.     

4 种经济海藻脂肪酸组成分析

采用改进的Bligh-Dyer法提取脂溶性成分,气相色谱-质谱联用法(GC-MS)进行分离和鉴定,C19:0内标确定总脂及各组分含量,研究了鼠尾藻(Sargassum thunbergii)、浒苔(Enteromorpha prolifera)、龙须菜(Gracilaria lemaneiformis)和红毛菜(Bangia sp.)4种经济海藻的脂肪酸组成及含量。结果表明,4种海藻都检测出C14-C22脂肪酸,总脂含量在12～19 mg/g之间,不饱和脂肪酸为主要组成成分,含量均超过60%。不饱和脂肪酸中以多不饱和脂肪酸(PUFAs)为主,富含n-3和n-6系列PUFAs,n-6与n-3系列PUFAs之比均低于2。比较4种海藻脂肪酸组成特点表明,鼠尾藻以C16、C18和C20为主要组成成分,具褐藻类脂肪酸组成特征;浒苔以C16和C18为主要组成成分,具绿藻类脂肪酸组成特征;龙须菜和红毛菜以C16和C20类脂肪酸为主,具典型红藻类脂肪酸组成特征,同时二者又有不同之处,分别显示真红藻与原始红藻脂肪酸组成的特点。     

Nutritional analysis of freshwater and marine amphipods from the Strait of Gibraltar and potential aquaculture applications

Four gammarid and four caprellid amphipod species from the Strait of Gibraltar were analyzed to study their nutritional contents: Caprella dilatata, Caprella equilibra, Caprella grandimana, Caprella penantis, Elasmopus rapax, Hyale perieri and Jassa sp. from marine water habitats and Echinogammarus sp. from freshwater habitats. Lipids, proteins, carbohydrates, ash and water contents were measured. Proteins and ash were the most abundant components in all the species, ranging between 37.9 and 44.6% and 29.3 and 39.7% dry weight, respectively. The lipid and carbohydrate contents showed lower levels (5.1–9.6% and 3.1–9.1% dry weight, respectively). No significant differences in general biochemical composition were found between gammarid and caprellid species. The most abundant fatty acids were the polyunsaturated ones (38.3%) with high levels of EPA (20:5(n-3)) with 8.5 to 17.7%, DHA (22:6(n-3)) with 0.9 to 13.6% and ARA (20:4(n-6)) with 1.7 to 5.8%. Caprellid species were characterized by a higher percentage of polyunsaturated fatty acids, while the freshwater gammarid species showed the lowest levels. According to lipid classes, caprellids had higher phospholipids levels and lower triacylglycerol levels, as well as a higher content of polar lipids than the gammarids, being more suitable for their use in aquaculture. Differences in the general biochemical composition between species can be related to habitat characteristics, diets and environmental conditions. Advantages and disadvantages of the use of these organisms in aquaculture are discussed.     

Factors controlling the temporal variation of fatty acids in piculate matter during a phytoplankton bloom in a marine mesocosm

Fatty acids present in suspended particles were examined following the onset of a phytoplankton bloom in an experimental marine mesocosm set up in Patricia Bay, Saanich Inlet, British Columbia, Canada. The predominantly diatom bloom, triggered by the addition of nutrients at the commencement of the experiment, was succeeded by several other phytoplankton forms, which in turn led to changes in particulate chl a, and organic carbon, and nitrogen within the experimental enclosure. An examination of individual fatty acids indicated that the variation of individual fatty acids can be classified into three groups, although the variation pattern of individual fatty acids differed from one another. An attempt was made to establish the factors controlling particulate fatty acid concentrations by principal component analysis. After Varimax rotation, six factors were extracted, of which four factors contributed to 83% of the data matrix. These were mainly dependent on the source of the particles i.e., diatoms, dinoflagellates, and bacteria.Fatty acid concentrations obtained by analysis of different lipid class fractions indicated that the production of fatty acids was distinctly related to the growth stage of the phytoplankton bloom. Fatty acids in triglycerides peaked during stationary phase, whereas fatty acids in polar lipids were high during the stage of an increase of phytoplankton biomass. However, fatty acid composition in both lipid classes changed under the influence of species succession of the phytoplankton population. This strongly suggested that species succession of the phytoplankton exerted the most significant control on fatty acid composition of particulate matter.     

十四株海洋微藻脂肪酸组成的研究

对 4个门的 14株 (红藻门 8株 ,甲藻门 1株 ,隐藻门 2株 ,绿藻门 3株 )海洋微藻进行了脂肪酸含量测定 ,微藻在确定的条件下生长 ,指数生长末期收获。结果表明 ,各门的微藻都有其独特的脂肪酸特征 :红藻中含有大量的 2 0 :4 n- 6和 2 0 :5n- 3,其中紫球藻 R2 5含量最高 ,占总脂肪酸的4 9.8% (AA占总脂肪酸的 2 0 .5% ,EPA占总脂肪酸的 2 9.3% )。隐藻的主要脂肪酸是 16 :0、18:1n- 9、18:3n- 3、18:4 n- 3、2 0 :5n- 3、2 2 :5n- 3。与其它甲藻有别的虫黄藻 ,18:4 n- 3含量很少并且不含EPA,其主要合成的是 16 :0、18:1n- 9和 2 2 :6 n- 3。 C16和 C18的不饱和脂肪酸是本实验研究的 3株绿藻的主要脂肪酸     

饲料中添加芽孢杆菌组分对凡纳滨对虾幼虾生长、能量代谢和抗WSSV能力的影响

以凡纳滨对虾(Litopnnaus vannamei)幼虾为实验动物,在其基础饲料中分别添加芽孢杆菌(Bacillus sp.)胞外蛋白粗提物(1.0%,胞外蛋白组)、胞内多糖粗提物(1.0%,胞内多糖组),以基础饲料为对照组饲料,进行为期28d的养殖实验,探讨芽孢杆菌胞外蛋白和胞内多糖粗提物对幼虾生长、能量代谢及抗病能力的影响。研究表明,芽孢杆菌2种粗提物对凡纳滨对虾的生长和成活率影响不显著(P>0.05)。饲喂2种粗提物影响了凡纳滨对虾肝胰腺和肌肉中能量代谢相关酶活力。胞外蛋白组肝胰腺中磷酸果糖激酶(PFK)、乳酸脱氢酶(LDH)活力在养殖实验前期显著高于对照组(P<0.05),而肌肉中PFK、LDH活力显著低于对照组(P<0.05);胞内多糖组肝胰腺中己糖激酶(HK)活力及肌肉中PFK、LDH活力显著低于对照组(P<0.05)。饲喂2种粗提物均显著提高了凡纳滨对虾肌肉中琥珀酸脱氢酶(SDH)活力和肝胰腺中电子传递系统(ETS)活力(P<0.05),胞外蛋白粗提物对肝胰腺中的SDH活力也有显著的提高作用(P<0.05)。饲喂2种粗提物显著降低了凡纳滨对虾肝胰腺及肌肉组织中脂肪酸合酶(FAS)含量(P<0.05)。此外,饲喂2种粗提物均会显著提高凡纳滨对虾肠道蛋白酶活力(P<0.05),而胞外蛋白粗提物使凡纳滨对虾肠道脂肪酶活力显著降低(P<0.05)。白斑综合征病毒(WSSV)感染后,与对照组相比,胞外蛋白组和胞内多糖组凡纳滨对虾半致死时间分别延长了26.19%和7.14%。根据以上结果推测,芽苞杆菌2种粗提物能够影响凡纳滨对虾能量代谢水平并提高其抗WSSV能力,且二者之间密切相关。     

Wax esters and triacylglycerols in sinking particulate matter in the Peru upwelling area (15°S, 75°W)

The flux and composition of wax esters and triacylglycerols were measured in particulate matter collected by free-drifting sediment traps in the Peru upwelling area. The purpose was to assess diurnal variations in sources and vertical transport of these lipids. Traps were deployed for periods of 8–12 h during both day and night at the base of the euphotic zone (10–14m) and at about 50m. Although the flux of total particulate organic carbon varied 4×, the flux of wax esters varied by 84× and triacylglycerols by 30×. POC, wax esters, and triacylglycerols also showed different temporal patterns. The highest wax ester flux was measured in shallow traps at night and is attributed to increased inputs from zooplankton which feed near the surface at night. Triacylglycerol flux was high in both shallow and deep nocturnal traps, consistent with inputs of both phytoplankton and zooplankton lipids. The composition of these lipids was also quite variable and attests to the complex nature of the lipid sources.