Quantitative Analysis of Solvent Extracted Skin Surface Lipid in Human Skin ( - hexane, hexane/ methanol, ethanol - )

Kang, Ho Jung

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The cornposition and biosynthesis of lipids in human skin have long been of considerable interest. Several authors have reviewed the sampling procedures for collecting skin surface lipid. Composition of extracted skin surface lipid may be variable according to different kinds of solvents.
OBJECTIVE
We tried to investigate any differences in skin surface lipid composition using three solvents (hexane,hexane/methanol and ethanol). METHOD: The skin surface lipid was extracted by the cup method. Extracted lipid was weighed and analyzed for lipid composition by HPTLC(high performance thin layer chromatography).
RESULTS
Total amounts of lipid extracted by each solvent were not significantly different. The skin was more erythematous and irritated after treatment with hexane/methanol than with hexane. Hexane/methanol was more powerful in extracting epidermal lipids than hexane.
CONCLUSION
We confirmed the differences of extracted lipid composition depending on the solvents. Total ceramides and polar lipids may play an important role in the maintenance of the normal barrier function.