Preparation of phosphatidyl inositol from baker's yeast.

Phosphatidyl inositol and a cardiolipin-like phospholipid survive the autolysis which is induced in yeast by treating it with toluene, whereas other phospholipids are extensively degraded. Lipid from autolyzed yeast was suspended in isopropanol to extract lecithin and neutral lipid. The insoluble phosphatidyl inositol and cardiolipin were then separated by chromatography on silicic acid.