Trans-Unsaturated Fatty Acids In Human Skin Surface Lipids

Methyl esters of the fatty acids obtained by saponification of human skin surface lipids were subjected to thin-layer chromatography on silica gel-silver nitrate revealing the presence of trans-monounsaturated components constituting approximately 0.3% of the total fatty acids. The positions of unsaturation in the 18-carbon trans-unsaturated acids in 2 subjects resembled those present in the corresponding acids from margarine, although this was not a component of the diet of one of the subjects. Dietary origin is possible for these components, which could also arise from bacterial action in the pilosebaceous follicle