Rapid separation and quantification of lipid classes by high performance liquid chromatography and mass (light-scattering) detection.

The major lipid classes in animal tissues, varying in polarity from cholesteryl esters to lysophosphatidylcholine, can be separated and accurately quantified by high performance liquid chromatography on a short 3-mu silica column and using a mass (light-scattering) detector. Sample sizes of 0.2 to 0.4 mg are optimum and the analysis is completed in only 20 min. The column is reactivated and ready for the next analysis after a further 10 min. After acid treatment, the plasmalogen forms of phospholipids can be determined. Applications of the procedure to the analysis of rat liver, heart, erythrocytes, and plasma lipids are described.