The proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) lipid profile of Leishmani
a donovani was obtained in the one-dimensional and two-dimensional mod
es. Partial assignments of lipid classes and individual lipids were ob
tained purely from the proton NMR spectrum of the mixture. A more comp
lete assignment and quantitative analysis was achieved by prior separa
tion of the lipids by high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC) follo
wed by proton NMR analysis of the fractions. This work showed that pro
ton NMR spectroscopy could facilitate lipid analysis and classificatio
n of various parasitic protozoa and serve as a basis for rapid studies
of comparative lipid metabolism in parasites.