Plasmalogen Analysis Service

What Is Plasmalogen?

Plasmalogens are a specialized subclass of glycerophospholipids characterized by a vinyl-ether linkage at the sn-1 position and an esterified fatty acid at sn-2. They are most commonly found as phosphatidylethanolamine (PE[P-]) and phosphatidylcholine (PC[P-]) species in cellular membranes.

This vinyl-ether bond gives plasmalogens unique biochemical properties. It enhances membrane fluidity, contributes to lipid raft formation, and provides antioxidant capacity by scavenging reactive oxygen species. These functions make plasmalogens particularly relevant in studies of oxidative stress, aging, neurobiology, and lipid remodeling.

Analytically, distinguishing between plasmalogens (P-) and plasmanyl lipids (O-) is essential. Although isobaric, only plasmalogens contain the vinyl-ether bond, which requires bond-specific confirmation to avoid misidentification. As such, targeted workflows that preserve the vinyl linkage and separate isomeric species are critical for accurate measurement.

Plasmalogen Analysis Solutions at Creative Proteomics

Targeted Plasmalogen Quantification (PE[P-], PC[P-])

Quantify predefined plasmalogen species using internal standards and matrix-matched calibration. Scheduled MRM/PRM ensures reproducible absolute or relative results.

Comprehensive Ether Lipid Profiling

Profile both plasmalogens (P-) and plasmanyl (O-) lipids to reveal the balance between vinyl-ether and alkyl-ether forms in your samples.

Vinyl-Ether Bond Confirmation (Optional)

Confirm true plasmalogens via acid cleavage and GC–MS detection of dimethyl acetals (DMA), resolving isobaric O-ether interferences.

Isomer-Resolved Annotation

High-resolution LC–MS/MS distinguishes positional and structural isomers sharing the same m/z, improving annotation confidence.

Redox-Protected Extraction

Cold, antioxidant-assisted extraction prevents vinyl-ether oxidation and maintains molecular integrity throughout processing.

Custom Analytical Panel Design

Tailor compound panels by headgroup, chain length, or unsaturation level to match specific research or metabolic applications.

Complete List of Detectable Plasmalogen Species

Notes: Species availability depends on matrix and standards. We confirm plasmenyl (P-) vs plasmanyl (O-) where required. Panel expansion to additional chains (e.g., 22:5, 20:1) is available on request.

How Creative Proteomics Provides Plasmalogen Assay?

What Methods are Used for Our Plasmalogen Analysis?

HRAM LC–MS Profiling (untargeted/species-resolved):

Platforms: Thermo Orbitrap Exploris 480 or Q Exactive HF-X

LC: C18 reverse-phase (2.1 × 100 mm, 1.7 µm); gradient of ACN/H₂O and IPA/ACN with ammonium formate/formic acid

Ionization & Scans: ESI±; full scan m/z 200–2,000 with data-dependent MS/MS; resolving power typically 60k–120k at m/z 200

Purpose: Comprehensive coverage for plasmalogen species annotation and isobar resolution

Targeted LC–MS/MS (absolute/relative quant):

Platforms: SCIEX Triple Quad 6500+ or equivalent.

Acquisition: Scheduled MRM of PE(P-) and PC(P-) transitions; class-specific fragments and acyl anions in confirmatory MS/MS.

Purpose: High-sensitivity quant for predefined panels.

Vinyl-Ether Confirmation (optional):

Chemistry: Acid cleavage of the vinyl-ether to form dimethyl acetals (DMAs).

GC–MS: DMA profiling confirms plasmalogen presence alongside LC–MS species calls.

Key QA/Controls: Class-matched internal standards, pooled-matrix QCs, blanks, and replicate injections.

SCIEX Triple Quad™ 6500+ (Figure from Sciex)

Q Exactive HF-X MS

Orbitrap Exploris 480 (Figure from Thermo Fisher)

Plasmalogen Analysis Service: Results and Data Analysis

Standard Deliverables

• Quantitative Result Tables — Absolute or relative concentrations (e.g., pmol/mg tissue, ng/mL) of detected plasmalogen and related ether lipid species.
• Lipid Class Summary Reports — Aggregated abundance of PE(P-), PC(P-), and O-ether subclasses with matrix-specific comparisons.
• Normalized Data Matrices — Internal-standard–corrected data, adjusted for sample loading, and formatted for direct import into statistical tools (e.g., MetaboAnalyst, SIMCA).
• Full Raw Data Files — Provided in Thermo .raw and open .mzML formats for reanalysis, transparency, or publication submission.
• Quality Control Reports — Including internal standard recovery, RSD%, blank assessments, and calibration performance summaries.
• Representative LC–MS/MS Chromatograms — Extracted ion traces and annotated spectra confirming plasmalogen identity and retention consistency.

LC–MS/MS Chromatographic & MS/MS Confirmation of Plasmalogens

Plasmalogen Class Distribution and Differential Analysis

What Our Plasmalogen Analysis Used For

Redox Biology

Evaluate vinyl-ether lipids as endogenous antioxidants and oxidative stress markers.

Neuroscience Research

Study plasmalogen remodeling in brain membranes and synaptic lipid turnover.

Aging and Metabolism Studies

Track age-related shifts in ether lipid composition and metabolic flux.

Membrane Biophysics

Correlate plasmalogen levels with changes in membrane curvature and fluidity

Microbial and Fermentation Systems

Profile ether lipid synthesis in engineered or natural microbial strains.

Nutritional and Food Lipidomics

Quantify plasmalogen content in food sources and functional lipid products.

Sample Requirements for Plasmalogen Analysis Solutions

General: Ship on dry ice. Use amber or foil wrap to limit oxidation and light exposure. Include sample metadata (matrix, species/strain, harvest timepoint, treatments) to support normalization and interpretation.

FAQs for Plasmalogen Analysis Service