Lipid components of gangliosides

Abstract

The fatty acids and the long-chain bases of gangliosides from several sources were analyzed by means of gas-liquid chromatography. Stearic acid was found to be the major fatty acid component while palmitic and arachidic acids were found in small amounts, confirming previous observations. Hydroxy acids were not found in any significant amounts. In addition to sphingosine and a small amount of dihydrosphingosine, two additional bases containing 20 carbon atoms each were found. Since these C20 bases were found only in gangliosides and not in other sphingolipids, the names gangliosphingosine and dihydrogangliosphingosine are proposed.