The analysis of tissue phospholipids: hydrolysis procedure and results with pig liver

Abstract

A procedure for the hydrolysis of phospholipids is described. The effect of alkali concentration, organic solvents, and length of hydrolysis have been studied. The initial reaction in the preferred solvent system appears to be a methanolysis. The phospholipids are converted quantitatively into water-soluble phosphates, which are separated and estimated by ion-exchange chromatography. In this way phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylserine, and phosphatidylinositol may be determined in liver tissue.