Gas-chromatographic analysis of patterns of fatty acids of cholesteryl esters and phosphatidylcholine.

We have developed a quick, reliable method for compositional analysis of the C14 to C20 fatty acids of cholesteryl esters, based on the use of a double extraction-solvent system and whisker-walled capillary columns with a new polar phase. Fatty acids of phosphatidylcholine, after separation by thin-layer chromatography, were determined on the same column. Our normal values are in good agreement with those published previously. We found marked changes in the fatty acid composition of both cholesteryl esters and phosphatidylcholine in cord blood serum, in various disease states, and in post-mortem specimens. The previously reported correlation between oleic (18:1) and linoleic (18:2) acids in serum cholesteryl esters was confirmed for normal adults, but no such correlation exists in cord blood specimens. We also found a significant correlation between the relative amounts of fatty acids in cholesteryl esters and phosphatidylcholine for all unsaturated fatty acids and for palmitate in all groups of subjects.