Quantitative analysis of ether-linked lipids as alkyl- and alk-1-enyl-glycerol benzoates by high-performance liquid chromatography.

Methodology for the quantitative and qualitative analyses of alkyl- and alk-l-enyl-glycerols derived by Vitride reduction of ether-linked glycerolipids in the presence of an internal standard was developed. The procedure involved preparation of benzoate derivatives that were subsequently analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography with detection at 228 nm. Separation of the glycerol ether dibenzoates on a C18 reverse-phase column allowed for the simultaneous quantitation and the determination of chain length of both alkyl- and alk-l-enyl-glycerols in a single chromatographic run of less than 15 min. The method was accurate (less than 10% error), reproducible, and sensitive (less than 1 microgram per component). Application of the method to the analysis of phospholipids from L-M cells grown in the presence and absence of elaidic acid demonstrated that the cells incorporated a portion of the trans acid supplement (presumably via the fatty alcohol) into the side chains of both alkyl- and alk-l-enyl-glycerol-containing phosphatides.