lipidenanalyse

Lipidenanalyse is the set of analytical methods used to identify and quantify lipids in biological samples. It supports studies in metabolism, nutrition, and clinical chemistry.

Lipids are highly diverse: triglycerides, cholesterol esters, phospholipids, sphingolipids, and fatty acids. Analyses may be targeted, measuring a single lipid, or global, providing lipid profiles in what is called lipidomics. The goal is to determine concentration, composition, and sometimes structural attributes of lipid species.

Samples most often come from blood plasma or serum, tissue, or cultured cells. Lipids are extracted with organic solvents; common methods include Folch (chloroform–methanol) and Bligh–Dyer (chloroform–methanol–water). Sample handling must minimize oxidation and artifactual changes, and may involve inert atmospheres and low temperatures.

Analytical techniques include gas chromatography for fatty acid methyl esters after derivatization and various forms of liquid chromatography, especially LC–MS, for intact lipids. NMR is used in some contexts but is less common for comprehensive lipid profiling. Lipidomics uses high-resolution mass spectrometry to profile large numbers of lipid species.

Quantification relies on internal standards, calibration curves, and appropriate normalization. Reporting may be absolute concentrations or relative abundances. Quality control, including reference materials and method validation, is essential for comparability across laboratories and studies.

Applications span clinical lipid profiling, monitoring treatment of dyslipidemias, and research into lipid metabolism, nutrition, and signaling lipids. Advances in instrumentation and data analysis continue to expand the scope and precision of lipid analysis.