Stability of plasma and erythrocyte fatty acid composition during cold storage.
BACKGROUND
The purpose of the present experiment was to determine if the fatty acid composition of plasma and erythrocyte lipids remains stable when stored at -80 degrees C. This was accomplished by repeating the fatty acid analysis of plasma and erythrocyte samples that had been analysed originally as part of two separate experiments.


METHODS
The original plasma and erythrocyte fatty acid analysis was completed on average within 9 and 18 months, respectively, of collecting the blood samples; the repeat analysis was done on average 2.5 and 2 years, respectively, after the initial work. All samples were stored at -80 degrees C. Identical procedures for gas-liquid chromatographic analysis of fatty acids were used for the original and repeat analysis. Plasma triglyceride and erythrocyte phosphatidylcholine fatty acids were measured.


RESULTS
The fatty acid compositions of plasma triglyceride and erythrocyte phosphatidylcholine were virtually unchanged between the original and repeat analysis.


CONCLUSIONS
In combination with the results of other studies that have found fatty acids to be stable for 1 year at -60 degrees C, the present results demonstrate that the fatty acid composition of plasma and erythrocyte lipids is stable for nearly 4 years when stored at -80 degrees C.
Hodson
Leanne
L
Department of Human Nutrition, University of Otago, P.O. Box 56, Dunedin, New Zealand.
Skeaff
C Murray
CM
Wallace
Alison J
AJ
Arribas
Gwen L B
GL
D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D002855:Chromatography, Thin Layer; D003080:Cold Temperature; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000737:chemistry*; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism*; D005615:Freezing; D008055:Lipids / Q000032:analysis; D010949:Plasma / Q000737:chemistry*; D013048:Specimen Handling; D013997:Time Factors
D005227:Fatty Acids; D008055:Lipids