Occurrence of Ceramide Aminoethylphosphonate in Edible Shellfish,AGEMAKI,Sinonovacula constricta

Ceramide aminoethylphosphonate was isolated from the AGEMAKI, Sinonovacula constricta. The compound was purified with a combination of mild alkaline hydrolysis of the total lipids, QAE-Sephadex-A25 column chromatography and two dimensional thin layer chromatography. The infrared spectrum showed an absorption band at 1180 cm-1 due to C-P bond, and was essentially identical with that of the standard ceramide aminoethylphosphonate. Upon hydrolysis of the substance by strong acid, neither change in the chromatographic behaviors of this substance nor liberation of inorganic phosphate was observed. The stability of the compound to acid hydrolysis suggested the presence of a C-P bond. On comparison with synthetic compound, the aqueous hydrolysis product behaved like 2-aminoethylphosphonic acid on thin layer chromatograms. The predominant fatty acids were palmitic acid and stearic acid. The results obtained here suggest that a person may ingest and absorb 2-aminoethylphosphonic acid through food chain's such as edible shellfish