Analysis of Individual Lipid Classes and Their Characteristics

Analysis of Individual Lipid Classes and Their Characteristics 

The MALDI-TOF-MS characteristics of the most important Upid classes will be discussed in the next sections, with attention focused on lipids of animal origin. Minimal attention will be paid to plant [9] or bacterial lipids [54] and glycoUpids [55], as the present authors have little experience in these fields. It is important to note, however, that plant lipids are much more complex and exhibit in particular a much wider variety of fatty acyl residues compared to animal lipids. A comprehensive survey of these aspects is available in Ref [56]. 

It should also be noted that the MALDl mass spectra shown here must be regarded exclusively as illustrative examples since, depending on the MS device used and the instrumental settings employed (laser fluence, delayed extraction conditions, etc.), slight differences are likely to occur in the spectra obtained. 

The Apolar Lipids Diacylglycerols, Triacylglycerols, Cholesterol, and Cholesteryl Esters 

Diacylglycerols (DAGs) and triacylglycerols (TAGs) represent rather simple lipids that are, however, of high relevance in signal transduction [3] and nutrition. 

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