Analysis of fatty acids from wet and dry ear wax samples

DOI
  • IWASAKI Satoshi
    Department of Hearing Implants Sciences, Shinshu University School of Medicine
  • SUZUKI Hiroaki
    Department of Otolaryngology, Shinshu University School of Medicine
  • MOTEKI Hideaki
    Department of Hearing Implants Sciences, Shinshu University School of Medicine Department of Otolaryngology, Shinshu University School of Medicine
  • Yutaka TAKUMI
    Department of Hearing Implants Sciences, Shinshu University School of Medicine Department of Otolaryngology, Shinshu University School of Medicine
  • USAMI Shin-ichi
    Department of Otolaryngology, Shinshu University School of Medicine

Bibliographic Information

Other Title
  • 乾性耳垢と湿性耳垢の脂肪酸分析による比較

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Abstract

There are two different kinds of ear wax, namely a wet type and a dry type. The wet type can be found in Caucasians and Africans, while the dry type is most common in Asians and Native Americans. Ear wax plays an important role in the protection of the ear canal against microbial invasion, and it is defined as a mixture of secretions from the apocrine glands, which consist of lipids and proteins. The differences in composition between wet and dry ear wax have long been a subject of controversy. The major components of ear wax lipids are fatty acids, cholesterol and ceramides. In this study, we examined the constituents of fatty acids from wet and dry ear wax samples by high performance liquid chromatography. No differences in the components of 7 fatty acids (linoleic acid, myristic acid, oleic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, EPA, and DHA) between wet and dry ear wax specimens were found. However, a few components of unknown fatty acids were detected in the wet ear wax. These unknown fatty acids can be further analyzed for the existence of special fatty acids in the wet ear wax. This study will enable us to obtain a better understanding of the function of ear wax.

Journal

  • jibi to rinsho

    jibi to rinsho 57 (2), 35-41, 2011

    JIBI TO RINSHO KAI

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