ABSTRACT

There is no universal definition of the term “lipids,” but various lipidologists have provided useful definitions for workers interested in the chromatographic analysis of these compounds. Thus, Kates (1986) considered lipids as compounds generally insoluble in water, but soluble in a variety of organic solvents, e.g., ether, hexane, chloroform. He recognized various classes of lipids including hydrocarbons, alcohols, aldehydes, fatty acids, and derivatives such as glycerides, wax esters, phospholipids, glycolipids, and sulfolipids. His consideration of lipids also included the fat-soluble vitamins and their derivatives, carotenoids, sterols, and their fatty acids.