Multiple Discriminant Analysis of Fatty Acids from Male Scalp Hair Lipids

Abstract

AbstractLipids extracted from the scalp hair of Caucasian boys, teenagers and adults and Black Teenagers of a boarding school, were saponified and the groups compared with respect to the total fatty acids by multiple discriminant analysis. The lipid yields from Black ranged higher than those from Caucasians. Among the Caucasians, differences based on age were not significant. The total acids of hair lipids from Blacks differed significantly as compared to those of the White groups, a trend also supported by analyses of acids in lipid classes of men 24–70 years of age. Hair from the latter was pooled according to race and scalp condition (balding and non‐balding). With the latter 4 adult categories, acids of the mono‐, di‐ and tri‐acylglycerols and the free fatty acids were ascertained and compared, both on the basis of the over‐all acids as well as in terms of the prominent saturated and unsaturated homologs. Racial differences were encountered in the fatty acids, the saturated acids distinguishing the free fatty acids and triacylglycerols and the unsaturated, the mono‐ and di‐acylglycerols. For each category, the ratios of free fatty acids to triacylglycerols were not significant in contrast to the component acids as such. As based on the acids, significant differences also occurred with scalp condition in the respective racial groupings.