The fatty acid composition of brain sphingolipids: sphingomyelin, ceramide, cerebroside, and cerebroside sulfate.

Sphingomyelin, ceramide, cerebroside, and cerebroside sulfate from beef brain were isolated by column chromatography in quantitative yield and in pure form. The fatty acid composition of each sphingolipid was determined by gas-liquid chromatography (GLC). Sphingomyelin contained only nonhydroxy fatty acids, while cerebroside, cerebroside sulfate, and ceramide contained both nonhydroxy and hydroxy fatty acids. The nonhydroxy fatty acid composition of each sphingolipid was similar, except that more stearic acid was present in sphingomyelin and ceramide than in cerebroside and cerebroside sulfate. The hydroxy fatty acid compositions of cerebroside and cerebroside sulfate were, with minor exceptions, similar to each other and to the corresponding nonhydroxy fatty acid compositions. In both the nonhydroxy and hydroxy fatty acid series, both odd and even chain saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids containing 14 to 26 carbons were present.