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  • An improved high-throughput lipid extraction method for the analysis of human brain lipids.

An improved high-throughput lipid extraction method for the analysis of human brain lipids.

Lipids (2013-01-29)
Sarah K Abbott, Andrew M Jenner, Todd W Mitchell, Simon H J Brown, Glenda M Halliday, Brett Garner
ABSTRACT

We have developed a protocol suitable for high-throughput lipidomic analysis of human brain samples. The traditional Folch extraction (using chloroform and glass-glass homogenization) was compared to a high-throughput method combining methyl-tert-butyl ether (MTBE) extraction with mechanical homogenization utilizing ceramic beads. This high-throughput method significantly reduced sample handling time and increased efficiency compared to glass-glass homogenizing. Furthermore, replacing chloroform with MTBE is safer (less carcinogenic/toxic), with lipids dissolving in the upper phase, allowing for easier pipetting and the potential for automation (i.e., robotics). Both methods were applied to the analysis of human occipital cortex. Lipid species (including ceramides, sphingomyelins, choline glycerophospholipids, ethanolamine glycerophospholipids and phosphatidylserines) were analyzed via electrospray ionization mass spectrometry and sterol species were analyzed using gas chromatography mass spectrometry. No differences in lipid species composition were evident when the lipid extraction protocols were compared, indicating that MTBE extraction with mechanical bead homogenization provides an improved method for the lipidomic profiling of human brain tissue.

MATERIALS
Product Number
Brand
Product Description

Sigma-Aldrich
tert-Butyl methyl ether, anhydrous, 99.8%
Supelco
tert-Butyl methyl ether, HPLC grade, suitable for HPLC, 99.8%
Sigma-Aldrich
tert-Butyl methyl ether, HPLC Plus, for HPLC, GC, and residue analysis, 99.9%
Supelco
tert-Butyl methyl ether, analytical standard
Sigma-Aldrich
tert-Butyl methyl ether, SAJ special grade, ≥99.0%
Sigma-Aldrich
tert-Butyl methyl ether, puriss. p.a., ≥99.5% (GC)
Sigma-Aldrich
tert-Butyl methyl ether, reagent grade, 98%
Sigma-Aldrich
tert-Butyl methyl ether, HPLC Plus, for HPLC, GC, and residue analysis, 99.9%
Sigma-Aldrich
tert-Butyl methyl ether, ACS reagent, ≥99.0%
Sigma-Aldrich
tert-Butyl methyl ether, reagent grade, ≥98%
Sigma-Aldrich
tert-Butyl methyl ether, suitable for HPLC, ≥99.8%