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Nanogram quantification of nonpolar lipid classes in environmental samples by high performance thin layer chromatography

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Lipids

Abstract

A sensitive, simple, and rapid high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) method that quantifies nanogram amounts of complex nonpolar lipid classes in environmental samples with a minimum of sample preparation is presented. The derivatization method is lipid-specific and insensitive to carbon number or the degree of unsaturation of the fatty acids composing the lipid class compounds. Nonpolar lipid classes ranging from 10 to over 500 ng easily may be quantified in the same sample run. The coefficient of variation for sample replicates on different plates ranged from 2.3% to 5.9%. Accuracy of the method is better than 15%. The nonpolar lipid class composition of <53 μm oceanic particles in a vertical depth profile of the upper 600 meters of the Slope Water was determined to illustrate the HPTLC method. The observed changes in particulate lipid class composition indicate that secondary production by deep-living organisms significantly alters suspended particle composition with depth in the water column.

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Abbreviations

MG:

monoacylglycerol

DGE:

diacylglycerol ether

DG:

diacylglycerol

CF:

cholesteryl formate

FAL:

fatty alcohol

FAME:

fatty acid methyl ester

FFA:

free fatty acid

POC:

particulate organic carbon

TG:

triacylglycerol

ST:

sterol

STE:

steryl ester

WE:

wax ester

FID:

flame ionization detector

HPLC:

high performance liquid chromatography

HPTLC:

high performance thin layer chromatography

TLC:

thin layer chromatography

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Lamont-Doherty Geological Observatory of Columbia University, 10964, Palisades, NY

    Maureen H. Conte & James K. B. Bishop

Authors
  1. Maureen H. Conte
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  2. James K. B. Bishop
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Conte, M.H., Bishop, J.K.B. Nanogram quantification of nonpolar lipid classes in environmental samples by high performance thin layer chromatography. Lipids 23, 493–500 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02535526

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02535526

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