Properties of glycero phospholipids and sphingo phospholipids

Properties of glycero phospholipids

·           Glycerophospholipids are white waxy substances, which become dark when exposed to air and light, owing to autoxidation and decomposition. This is due to the presence of unsaturated fatty acids in the molecules.

·           They are soluble in alcohol and other fat solvents except in acetone.

·           They are hygroscopic and mix well with water to form cloudy, colloidal and slimy solutions.

·           They donot have definite melting point and decompose when heated.

·           They are readily hydrolysed by boiling with acids and alkalies to their constituents.

·           They are hydrolysed by enzyme phospholipase to various components.

Properties of sphingophospholipids

·           They are white crystalline substances

·           They form opelescent suspension in water.

·           They are insoluble in fat solvents like ether and acetone.

·           They are stable in air and light.