A Rapid Extraction and Quantification of Total Lipids and Lipid Fractions in Blood and Feces

Abstract

An analytical system for plasma lipids suitable for use in the large and small clinical laboratory is presented. Lipids are extracted into a chloroform— methanol solvent and concentrated into a chloroform phase by a wash with an aqueous CaCl2 solution. This extract is used to estimate total lipids and (after separation by thin-layer chromatography) the major lipid fractions. A single acid dichromate reagent is used for all quantification steps. Normal ranges for the proposed method are presented. The method with minor modifications is also used for quantification of fecal lipids. Lipids in other body fluids can be conveniently analyzed with this flexible method.