Analysis of low abundant lipids in vernix caseosa using chromatographic methods and mass spectrometry

The aim of this work is to develop a separation method for characterization of unknown lipids in vernix caseosa. We focused on very low abundant lipids which have not been previously described in vernix caseosa. The total lipid extract was fractionated using low pressure normal phase liquid chromatography to obtain sub-fractions. The sub-fractions were further separated in high performance liquid chromatography mode to isolate classes of lipids. This procedure enabled us to characterise lipid classes by mass spectrometry and identify one of the class as acyl-ceramides with non-hydroxylated fatty acids