LIPID-COMPOSITION OF CYSTS OF THE BRINE SHRIMP ARTEMIA SP FROM SPANISH POPULATIONS

The lipid class composition of Artemia cysts from several Spanish populations was analysed by high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HP-TLC). A total of 11 lipid classes was detected, of which six were phospholipids and five neutral lipids. The chromatograms were quantified by single-wavelength scanning densitometry. In general, triacylglycerides were the major component, comprising almost-equal-to 50% of the total lipids, cholesterol accounted for 10% and cholesterol esters fluctuated from 3 to 10%. Phospholipids, mainly phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylethanolamine in a ratio 2:1, accounted for 10-20% of the total lipids. Pigments and free fatty acids were found to be very variable.