Phospholipids of marine origin IV. the abalone (<i>Haliotis midae</i>)

Abstract

Abstract Phospholipids of the abalone were separated into component fractions by chromatography on silicic acid. The phospholipids were remarkable for the presence (6%) of an unusual sphingolipid liberating 2‐amino‐ethylphosphonic acid on hydrolysis, and for the high proportion of plasmalogens (23%). The presence of phosphatidyl ethanolamine plus ethanolamine plasmalogen (32%), phosphatidyl serine (5%), phosphatidyl inositol (5%), phosphatidyl choline (41%) and sphingomyelin (1%) were also demonstrated. The fatty acid distribhion in the phospholipids, the non‐phosphorylated lipids and the unusual sphingolipid was determined by gas chromatography. In general these results show a similarity between the phospholipid and the non‐phosphorylated lipid fatty acids, the former being richer in long chain polyunsaturated fatty acids. Fatty acids of the unusual sphingolipid were outstanding for the high palmitic (53%) and stearic acid (15%) content.