Studies on chemo enzymatic synthesis of novel phospholipids and their biological activity

Abstract

Fatty acid and their derivatives and substances related biosynthetically or functionally to this compounds, that are soluble in organic solvents such as chloroform, ether, benzene, acetone and insoluble in water are commonly known as lipids. Most of them form molecules such as waxes, triglycerides, phospholipids, etc, whereas other substances such as fat soluble vitamins, coenzymes, pigments, terpenes, sterols and phenolics are also considered as lipids because they are extracted with fat solvents. Lipids are found in all living beings, where they carry out a wide range of functions due to their high chemical variability. They are involved in forming biological membranes, energy storage, heat, water or electric insulation, heat production and intracellular or intercellular signaling. Moreover, they act as hormones, pigments, vitamins, enzymatic cofactors, electron transporters and detergents. Lipids can be classified into two groups based on chemical composition: simple lipids and complex lipids. Simple lipids contain C, H and O. Complex lipids contain one or more additional elements, such as phosphorus, nitrogen or sulfur.