Estimation of lecithin in rabbit tissues

1. A simple method for lecithin estimation was developed. Phospholipids in rabbit tissues were extracted with chloroform and methanol. 2. The samples were chromatographed with eluting solvent system; chloroform:methanol:glacial acetic acid:water (100:25:8:1.1). Lecithin was identified by the spray reagent as blue spots and the intensities were quantitated with a densitometer. 3. The concentration of lecithin in the various rabbit tissues varied from 2.8 to 10 mg/g tissue. The sequence of increasing lecithin concentration was heart less than kidney less than lung less than liver less than brain. 4. Recovery experiments of added lecithin into the tissues showed a recovery of 91-104%.