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Neutral lipid and fatty acid composition of earthworms ( Lumbricus terrestris )
Author(s) -
Cerbulis J.,
Wight Taylor M.
Publication year - 1969
Publication title -
lipids
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.601
H-Index - 120
eISSN - 1558-9307
pISSN - 0024-4201
DOI - 10.1007/bf02531007
Subject(s) - lumbricus terrestris , campesterol , stigmasterol , saponification , chemistry , sterol , glyceride , fatty acid , chromatography , unsaponifiable , biochemistry , organic chemistry , cholesterol , biology , earthworm , paleontology
Earthworms ( Lumbricus terrestris ) were extracted with chloroform‐methanol (2∶1) and examined primarily for neutral lipids and fatty acids. TLC showed spots for sterols, hydrocarbons, free fatty acids, phospholipids and pigments but none for glycerides (tri‐, di‐ or mono). Saponification of the crude lipid extract yielded 32% fatty acids, 25% unsaponifiables and 43% unidentified. The lipid contained 3% hydrocarbon and 16% sterols. GLC of the hydrocarbons showed at least 13 components. GLC of the sterol fraction showed peaks corresponding to cholesterol (the major component), γ‐sitosterol, β‐sitosterol, stigmasterol, campesterol, and ergosterol. GLC showed that at least 38 fatty acids were present, with 18∶1, 18∶2, 18∶0, 20∶1 and 17∶0 predominanting.