Extraction and analysis of ceramides from internal wool lipids

This study sought to obtain internal wool lipid extracts rich in ceramides from different wool types. Extraction methods, i.e., Soxhlet extraction with different organic solvents and supercritical fluid extraction with CO2 using several polarity modifiers such as MeOH or EtOH, were optimized. The internal wool lipid content varied from 0.2 to 1.9% (based on wool weight) with a ceramide content ranging from 15 to 30% (based on extract weight). The Spanish and Russian Merino wool extracts were the richest in ceramide compounds, TLC-FID was used to quantify the different internal wool lipid extracts. A new experimental protocol that enabled us to identify most of the different ceramide types is presented. These internal wool lipid extracts, especially the ones with a high ceramide content, may be regarded as an alternative source of animal ceramides, which could be of value in the cosmetic and dermopharmaceutical industries.