HPTLC DETERMINATION OF PHOSPHOLIPIDS IN SNAIL-CONDITIONED WATER FROM HELISOMA-TRIVOLVIS AND BIOMPHALARIA-GLABRATA

Water conditioned by two strains of Helisoma trivolvis and Biomphalari a glabrata snails was analyzed for phospholipids using quantitative hi gh performance thin-layer chromatography. Lipids were extracted with c hloroform methanol (2:1) from water containing snail feces, and 1-20 m u L aliquots of extracts and standards were applied to channeled, prea dsorbent silica gel plates which were developed with chloroform - meth anol - water (65 + 25 + 4). Lipids were detected by spraying with 10% cupric sulfate in 8% phosphoric acid, heating, and the resulting black zones were quantified by densitometric scanning at lambda = 370 nm. T he major phospholipids detected were phosphatidylethanolamine and phos phatidylcholine; their concentrations ranged from 0.18-0.4 mu g mL(-1) snail(-1) in the snail- conditioned water. There was a significantly greater amount of phosphatidylethanolamine in snail-conditioned water with feces from H. trivolvis (Colorado strain) compared with that from either B. glabrata or H. trivolvis (Pennsylvania strain). There was n o significant difference in the concentration of phosphatidylcholine i n water conditioned by the three strains.