Lipid composition in ganglia of Mollusca

The aim of the present study is to ascertain lipid composition in the ganglia of Mollusca. Nervous ganglia in the periesophageal ring dissected from Helix pomatia, Lymnaea stagnalis, Murex trunculus and Murex brandaris were studied by biochemical and histochemical procedures. Glycosphyngolipids are present mainly as sulpholipid; sialic acid and gangliosides are not present as revealed by Svennerholm's reaction and TLC separation. The phospholipid/cholesterol ratios are: 0.47 (Helix), 0.42 (Lymnaea), 0.86 (Murex brandaris) and 1.01 (Murex trunculus).