Fat synthesis in cell-free preparations of the locust fat-body

It was shown that cell-free preparations of the fat-body of the migratory locust, Locusta migratoria, incorporated acetate into fatty acids in the presence of ATP, CoA, glutathione, Mg++, TPN, malonate, α-ketoglutarate, and KHCO3. The major fatty acid component synthesized was palmitic acid. The newly synthesized acids were esterified by the system with glycerol as glycerides and phospholipids. Mitochondria were not required for synthesis. Fat-body homogenates could also activate and decarboxylate malonate and form malonic acid by CO2, fixation.