Isolation of cerebroside containing glucose (Glucosyl ceramide) and its possible significance in ganglioside synthesis

Abstract
A small amount of cerebroside containing glucose (glucosyl ceramide) was isolated from bovine brain by Florisil column chromatography and thin‐layer chromatography. The fatty acids of the glucosyl ceramide were palmitic and stearic acids; small amounts of oleic and linoleic acids were present.Rat brain tissue slices, incubated with U‐14C‐glucose, incorporated more radioacivity into glucosyl ceramide than into galactosyl ceramide. From these results the possible metabolic significance of the brain glucosyl ceramide in ganglioside metabolism is discussed.