Phospholipid components extracted from Saskatchewan soils

Soil phospholipids and their hydrolysis products, examined by thin-layer chromatography and selective sprays, revealed two major components, phosphatidyl ethanolamine and phosphatidyl choline. Phosphatidyl choline represented about 40% of the total phospholipid P and phosphatidyl ethanolamine about 30%. Small quantities of lyso-phosphatidyl choline were isolated from one soil. It is suggested that a study of the fatty acid constituents of phospholipids may indicate whether their source is largely from microorganisms or plant residues.