Quantitative Determination of Glycosphingolipids Illustrated by Using Erythrocyte Membranes of Various Mammalian Species

Abstract
A procedure for the quantitative determination of glycosphingolipids is described, involving extraction of total lipids, fractionation on a column, acid cleavage and photometry of a complex formed between sphingosine and methyl orange. The level of glycosphingolipid sphigosine of erythrocyte membranes of a variety of mammals [human, llama, cat, sheep, bovine] ranges from 59.1 (rat) to 410.1 (pig) nmol/ml packed cells.