A RAPID METHOD FOR THE PREPARATION OF GANGLIOSIDE G(LAC)2 (GD3)

A method is described for the preparation of ganglioside G(lac)2 [(II3 (NeuAc)(2)-LacCer, GD3] from cream of bovine milk using liquid-phase e xtraction with methanol or ethanol followed by anion exchange chromato graphy. The method is rapid and inexpensive; 1 kg cream, centrifuged f rom 14-15 L of bovine milk, yields approximately 70 mg of pure ganglio side G(lac)2. The sialic acid constituent of ganglioside G(lac)2 isola ted from bovine milk cream consists solely of the N-acetylneuraminic a cid derivative. The major components of its ceramide consist of octade casphing-4-enine and the 22:0 (behenic acid) and 23:0 fatty acids.