Galactolipids Analysis Service – Targeted MGDG & DGDG Profiling

What Are Galactolipids and Why Analyze Them?

Galactolipids are glyceroglycolipids carrying one or two galactose residues on a diacylglycerol backbone. In most photosynthetic organisms, MGDG and DGDG replace phospholipids as the major bilayer-forming components in thylakoid membranes, conserving phosphate and stabilizing photosystem complexes.

Quantifying galactolipids is important when you want to:

• Track plastid differentiation and chloroplast biogenesis. MGDG and DGDG accumulation is tightly coupled to thylakoid formation and grana stacking.
• Understand abiotic stress responses. Changes in galactolipid content and saturation support adaptation to salt, drought, and temperature stress in many crops.
• Study nutrient-use strategies. Under phosphate or sulfur limitation, plants often remodel galactolipids and sulfolipids to maintain photosynthetic membranes.
• Characterize microalgae and biofactories. Galactolipids are abundant in algae such as Euglena and chromerids; profiling them aids strain selection and bioprocess optimization.
• Link membrane lipid composition to function. Galactolipid species influence membrane curvature, protein–lipid interactions, and the performance of photosystems I and II.

A dedicated galactolipids assay lets you move beyond total "chloroplast lipid" measurements and quantify exactly which molecular species and ratios change in your system.

Galactolipid Profiling Services at Creative Proteomics

Targeted MGDG/DGDG Quantification

• Absolute or relative quantification of major MGDG and DGDG species across plant, algal, and microbial samples
• Focus on molecular species relevant to photosynthetic efficiency and stress tolerance

Extended Galactolipids and Sulfolipids Panel

• Semi-targeted coverage of MGDG, DGDG, SQDG, and related plastid glycolipids
• Optional inclusion of lyso-galactolipids and acylated MGDG where standards and methods are available

MGDG:DGDG Ratio and Saturation Profiling

• Calculation of MGDG:DGDG ratio and class-level saturation indices
• Support for comparative studies across treatments, genotypes, or time points

Galactolipid Remodeling under Stress

• Designed for salt, drought, cold, heat, or light stress experiments
• Time-course or dose-response profiling with integrated statistical analysis

For discovery-stage studies where you first want to screen the full lipidome and then follow up with targeted galactolipids, this service can be paired with our Untargeted lipidomics profiling.

Galactolipids and Related Species We Can Measure

Our galactolipids panel is configurable by organism, tissue, and research question. Below is a representative panel commonly used in plant and algal projects, based on LC–MS/MS libraries reported for MGDG and DGDG profiling.

Galactolipid Classes and Representative Molecular Species

* The exact panel and quantifiable species depend on sample type, concentration, and reference standards. For specialized needs (e.g., unusual algal species or engineered lines), we can discuss custom transitions and validation scope.

For projects that need broader coverage of sugar-containing lipids beyond galactolipids, you can extend this assay with our Glycolipids Analysis Service.

For projects that require coordinated quantification of galactolipids together with phospholipids, neutral lipids, or other defined classes, we offer complementary targeted lipidomics panels.

Step-by-Step Workflow for Galactolipid Quantification by LC–MS/MS

Analytical Methods and Core Instruments for Galactolipids Analysis

Our galactolipids assays are built on established LC–MS platforms that are widely used in plant and algal lipidomics, combining robust chromatography with sensitive, targeted detection.

Data Processing and QC

• Peak integration and alignment using vendor and third-party software
• Internal-standard–based normalization and class-level summarization (e.g., total MGDG, total DGDG, MGDG:DGDG ratio)
• QC monitoring with calibration curves, pooled samples, and flagged values below quantification ranges

Waters ACQUITY UPLC System (Figure from Waters)

SCIEX Triple Quad™ 6500+ (Figure from Sciex)

Galactolipids Analysis Service: Results and Data Analysis

Standard Deliverables

Galactolipid result table

• Species-level data for MGDG, DGDG and selected SQDG (per sample).
• Class-level totals (e.g., total MGDG, total DGDG) and MGDG:DGDG ratios.

QC and calibration summary

• Calibration range and curve fit for representative galactolipids.
• Internal standards used and basic QC metrics (recovery, repeatability, LLOQ flags).

Basic plots for quick review

• Class-level bar charts and/or heatmaps showing galactolipid changes across groups.

Method summary sheet

• Short description of extraction, LC–MS(/MS) settings, and data-processing steps.

Representative negative ESI–MS/MS spectrum of MGDG 36:6.

Heatmap of MGDG and DGDG molecular species across treatments.

MGDG:DGDG ratios and plastid glycolipid class composition.

What Our Galactolipids Analysis Is Used For

Plant Stress Physiology

Link galactolipid remodeling to salt, drought, cold, or heat stress responses in crops.

Chloroplast and Thylakoid Biogenesis

Study how MGDG and DGDG accumulation supports plastid differentiation and membrane architecture.

Nutrient Use and Membrane Remodeling

Assess how phosphate or sulfur availability alters galactolipids and sulfolipids to maintain photosynthesis.

Algal and Microalgal Biotechnology

Characterize galactolipid profiles in algae and protists for strain selection, cultivation optimization, or bioproduct development.

Food and Nutrition Research

Profile galactolipids in leafy vegetables, microalgae, and plant-based foods to link membrane lipid composition to quality traits.

Comparative and Evolutionary Lipidomics

Compare galactolipid patterns across species or mutants to explore plastid evolution and membrane specialization.

Sample Requirements for Galactolipids Analysis Solutions

If your project has restrictions on additives or preservatives, we can suggest compatible extraction and stabilization strategies during project setup.

FAQs for Galactolipids Analysis Service