High-performance liquid chromatography of phospholipids: quantitation by phosphate analysis

Quantitation of individual phospholipids separated by HPLC from tissue extracts by colorimetric analysis of phosphate was investigated. Elution of inorganic phosphate and breakthrough of lecithin were determined using radioisotopes. A substance which interfered with sample phosphate determinations was found in the column eluant, and a method to minimize its effect was developed. This method allows accurate quantitation of individual phospholipids present at a minimum of 20 nmol phosphate.