DICHLOROMETHANE AS A SOLVENT FOR LIPID EXTRATION AND ASSESSMENT OF LIPID CLASSES AND FATTY ACIDS FROM SAMPLES OF DIFFERENT NATURES.

The usefulness of the solvent mixture dichloromethane-methanol for lipid extraction and the resultant lipid classes and fatty acids determination in samples of different nature was conducted. Two different extraction methods were assayed, one containing chloroform-methanol, another containing dichloromethane-methanol. Total lipid extraction showed some minor differences but no variation in the lipid classes. Regarding the fatty acid profile, in Echium virescens seeds, 17 major fatty acids could be identified and quantified, all equally extracted when either method was employed. In E. acanthocarpum hairy roots, 17 major fatty acids were quantified showing some statistical differences for one cell line. The data of liquid nutrient medium from such sample were also comparable. Cod roe sample showed 31 major fatty acids, showing no statistical differences. Contrarily, European seabass dorsal muscle yielded 31 main fatty acids, in many cases showing statistical differences in favour of method containing dichloromethane. The results indicate that for lipid extraction and fatty acids assessment, dichloromethane-methanol can readily replace the commonly employed chloroform-methanol, thus avoiding the major health, security and regulation problems facing the use of chloroform.