Composition of the surface lipids from the European mole (Talpa europaea)

The surface lipids of the European mole consist of squalene, monoester waxes, triglycerides and cholesterol. As shown by GC/MS analysis, the fatty acid moieties of both monoester waxes and triglycerides belong to saturated unbranched (omega-1)- and (omega-2)-methyl-substituted and unsaturated homologous series. Double bonds are located at the 7/8- and 9/10-position. Apart from the cis- also trans-isomers were found. The alcohol moieties of the monoester waxes consisted of saturated unbranched, (omega-1)- and (omega-2)-methyl-substituted homologous series exclusively.