In the human body, biological membranes have as their main structural element a lipid bilayer in addition to various other components such as peptides, sterols and proteins. Phospholipids are the main, most important membrane lipids in eukaryotic cells, consisting of phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylcholine, which are represented in between 60% and 85% of the phospholipid fraction.

Phospholipids also serve as sources of unsaturated fatty acids such as arachidonic acid, can be metabolised by oxygenase enzymes regulating many and varied biological functions and define organelle partitioning.

What they are used for and where they are used

Food

Phospholipids are widely used by the food industry as natural emulsifiers and, recently, it has been discovered that they can be used as natural antioxidants to counteract lipid oxidation, particularly in the preservation of meat and dairy products. One example is lecithin, a thickener and emulsifier labelled with the number E322 in the European food additives list.

Cosmetics

Phospholipids included in cosmetic formulations have the prerogative of moisturising the skin and, in the form of phosphatylcholines, help keratin, a skin protein, to fix fat-soluble substances in the skin as they are physiologically compatible.

Skin conditioning agent - Miscellaneous.  This ingredient has the task of modifying the condition of the skin when it is damaged or dry by reducing its flakiness and restoring its elasticity.

CAS   123465-35-0

DSSTox ID     DTXSID001044641

For more information:   Phospholipids studies