Human erythrocyte phosphoglycerides I. Quantification of plasmalogens, fatty acids and fatty aldehydes

Abstract

1. 1. Concentrations of plasmogens in phosphoglyceride mixtures can be accurately determined by gas-liquid chromatography. 2. 2. Plasmalogens are found in each of the three major erythrocyte phosphoglycerides. A high percentage (67%) of ethanolamine phospholipid is in this form, but only 8% of serine and 10% of choline phosphoglycerides. 3. 3. Although fatty aldehyde and fatty acid compositions are complex, distinctive patterns characterize each phosphoglyceride class. 4. 4. The molar ratio of (saturated fatty acids plus aldehydes) to unsaturated fatty acids is close to unity in each class. This is consistent with other evidence that the β-position of most phosphoglyceride molecules is occupied by an unsaturated fatty acid ester, the α′-position by an enol ether or saturated fatty acid ester.