lipidprofiler

Lipidprofiler is a software framework used in lipidomics to profile lipids in biological samples. It combines data processing, lipid identification, quantification, and downstream analysis to produce a comprehensive lipid profile suitable for biological interpretation.

The typical workflow begins with data import from mass spectrometry experiments (for example mzML or mzXML formats). Features are detected and aligned across samples, then identified by MS/MS spectral library matching against curated lipid databases such as Lipid Maps, SwissLipids, and HMDB. Quantification is performed relative to internal standards, with normalization to sample amount or total lipids.

Outputs include absolute or relative lipid concentrations, class- and species-level summaries, and visualization-ready results such as heatmaps, principal component analysis plots, and pathway-oriented diagrams. The tool supports batch analysis, quality control metrics, and export in common formats for statistical software. It is used in metabolic and disease research, biomarker discovery, pharmacometabolomics, and nutrition studies.

Limitations include dependence on data quality and database coverage, potential ambiguities for isomeric lipids, and variability across instruments and labs. Users typically validate findings with orthogonal methods and report confidence levels for identifications. See also Lipidomics, Mass spectrometry, Lipid databases.