Lipids are compounds that are insoluble in water and can be extracted by non-polar organic solvents such as ether, chloroform, and benzene. They mainly include esters and their derivatives generated by the interaction of fatty acids and alcohols. They are also commonly called fats and oils. Lipids are polymers of fatty acids containing long nonpolar hydrocarbon chains and small polar regions containing oxygen. Lipids play many important roles in the human body, including as a source of energy, forming the structure of cell membranes, as signaling molecules, and as insulators that protect internal organs. In addition, lipids are also raw materials for various pharmaceutical and chemical industries.
What is a Lipid?
Lipid Structure
What is a Lipid Made of?
Lipid Types
Lipid Function
Lipid Synthesis
Lipid Manufacturing
Lipid Analysis
Lipid Formulation Development Services
Liposomes
Lipid Nanoparticles
What Does a Lipid Do?
Lipids are a type of organic small molecule substances in the body, which cover a wide range, have greatly different chemical structures, and have different physiological functions. The common physical property of lipids is that they are insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents, and can aggregate with each other in water to form internal hydrophobic aggregates. There are three main directions for understanding lipids:
Lipids in Food
Lipids in Human Body/Animals
Lipid and Derivatives
Lipids cover a wide range, and there are many ways to classify them. Lipids are usually classified according to their main components: simple lipids, complex lipids, derived lipids, and unsaponifiable lipids. Lipids include a variety of molecules, which are characterized by being mainly composed of two elements, carbon and hydrogen, with non-polar covalent bonds. Since these molecules are non-polar, they are incompatible with water and are therefore hydrophobic. Strictly speaking, lipids are not macromolecules because their relative molecular masses are not as large as those of sugars, proteins, and nucleic acids, and they are not polymers.
The lipid bilayer is the basic structural unit of the cell membrane and the basis for the cell to maintain its morphology and function. It is a double-layer structure formed by the spontaneous arrangement of phospholipid molecules.
Lipid monomers are basic biomolecules that serve as the basic building blocks of lipids and have key physiological functions. There are many types of lipids, including fatty acids, triglycerides, phospholipids, and sterols, among which fatty acids are the most common lipid monomers.
Lipids are composed primarily of carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen atoms. Their structure typically includes a hydrophobic (water-repelling) tail and a hydrophilic (water-attracting) head of a long hydrocarbon chain, making lipids essential for cell membranes. Common types of lipids include triglycerides, phospholipids, and steroids, each with a unique structure. Triglycerides are composed of glycerol and three fatty acids, while phospholipids have a glycerol backbone, two fatty acid tails, and a phosphate group. These components make lipids versatile in biological roles, such as energy storage, insulation, and cell structure, as well as in a variety of industrial applications.
Simple Lipids
A compound formed by the dehydration condensation of fatty acids and alcohols.
Complex Lipids
Complex lipids are fatty acid esters containing other chemical groups. The body mainly contains two complex lipids, phospholipids and glycolipids.
Lipid Precursors and Derivatives
Fatty acids and their derivatives prostaglandins, etc. Long-chain fatty alcohols, such as cetyl alcohol, etc.
Conjugated Lipids
A complex formed between lipids and other biomolecules. Such as glycolipids, lipoproteins, etc.
Fat
Grease is triglyceride or triacylglycerol, which is the collective name for oil and fat. Fat is synthesized from the dehydration of glycerol and fatty acids. The -OH in the carboxyl group of the fatty acid combines with the -H in the hydroxyl group of the glycerol and loses a molecule of water, so an ester bond is formed between the glycerol and the fatty acid and becomes a fat molecule. The three acyl groups in fats (the remaining atomic groups after removing hydroxyl groups from inorganic or organic oxygen-containing acids) are generally different and originate from C16, C18 or other fatty acids. Fatty acids with double bonds are called unsaturated fatty acids, and those without double bonds are called saturated fatty acids. Oils and fats are widely distributed. There is a certain amount of oils in the seeds of various plants and the tissues and organs of animals. In particular, the seeds of oil crops and the adipose tissue under the skin of animals are rich in oils. Fat in the human body accounts for about 10% to 20% of body weight. There are many types of fatty acids in the human body, and they can be arranged and combined in different ways when producing triglycerides. Therefore, triglycerides exist in many forms.
Lipoids
Lipoids include three major categories: phospholipids , glycolipids, and cholesterol and cholesterol esters. Phospholipids are lipids containing phosphoric acid, including glycerophospholipids composed of glycerol and sphingomyelin composed of sphingosine. In animal brains and eggs, soybean seeds contain more phospholipids. Glycolipids are lipids containing sugar groups. In addition, substances such as cholesterol and steroids mainly include cholesterol, bile acid, sex hormones, vitamin D, etc. These substances play an important regulatory role in maintaining normal metabolism and reproductive processes of organisms.
In addition, cholesterol is also a synthetic raw material for fatty acid salts, vitamin D3 and steroid hormones. It plays an important role in regulating the absorption of lipids, especially the absorption of fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) and calcium and phosphorus metabolism. These three major types of lipids are important components of biological membranes, forming a hydrophobic barrier that separates water-soluble components of cells and divides cells into small compartments such as organelles/nuclei, ensuring that multiple processes occur simultaneously within the cell. A variety of metabolic activities without interfering with each other, maintaining the normal structure and function of cells, etc.
Molecules in lipids not only provide structure to the cell membrane, but also store energy and play an important role in cell signaling and functional regulation. Defects in lipid metabolism can cause a variety of inherited metabolic diseases. Typically, the accumulation of abnormal lipids in the blood and tissues that damage cells lead to disorders of lipid metabolism. Accurate identification of abnormal lipids is the key to effective diagnosis and treatment. Additionally, lipids can be used as drug delivery systems, drug targets, or even as therapeutic agents themselves.
Lipids for Cellular Energy Storage
Lipids for Biomembrane Scaffolds
Lipids for Biological Signaling
Lipid for Drug Delivery
Lipid-based drug delivery systems have several advantages over other drug delivery systems. For example, they are biocompatible, biodegradable, and protect the drug from degradation and clearance by the body's immune system. Lipid-based drug delivery systems can also improve the solubility and bioavailability of insoluble drugs and can increase the circulation time of drugs in the body. Lipids can be used to formulate drug molecules into lipid nanoparticles, liposomes , micelles, or solid lipid nanoparticles, thereby enhancing drug solubility, stability, and targeting to specific tissues or cells.
Lipids for Drug Targets
Lipids for Therapeutic Agents
The industrial synthesis of lipid derivatives involves advanced chemical and enzymatic processes to modify natural lipids, enhancing their functionality for various applications. Techniques such as hydrogenation, transesterification, and acylation enable the creation of tailored lipid derivatives with specific properties like improved stability, solubility, and compatibility. These synthetic modifications make lipid derivatives suitable for use in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, food production, and biodegradable materials. With scalable production methods and quality control, the industrial synthesis of lipid derivatives supports high-demand sectors, meeting rigorous standards for performance and sustainability.
Lipid manufacturing involves the production and formulation of lipids, essential biomolecules used in pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, and biotechnology. This process includes the synthesis, purification, and characterization of natural and synthetic lipids, tailored for applications such as lipid-based drug delivery systems, vaccines, and nutritional supplements. BOC Sciences has its own manufacturing facilities equipped with advanced technologies to produce lipids in large quantities.We can support not only cGMP manufacturing services for lipids, but also lipid extraction and modification services. In addition, we also provide one-stop lipid solutions to support customers' needs in drug delivery, cosmetics, gene therapy and other fields.
Liposome formulation development, encapsulation and delivery for small molecules, peptides, proteins, and nucleic acids.
Liposome pre-formulation, formulation feasibility and prototype development
Liposome process development, scale-up and optimization
Liposomes are spherical vesicles composed of lipid bilayers that encapsulate aqueous or lipophilic substances. Widely used in drug delivery, cosmetics, and research, they improve the stability, bioavailability, and targeted delivery of active compounds. Their biocompatibility and ability to encapsulate diverse molecules make them ideal for applications in pharmaceuticals, such as cancer therapy and vaccines, as well as in diagnostics and nutraceuticals. BOC Sciences offers specialized liposome preparation services, designed to meet diverse needs in drug delivery, diagnostics, and research. Our team utilizes advanced lipid formulation techniques to create liposomes with customizable size, charge, and encapsulation efficiency, tailored to enhance the stability and bioavailability of encapsulated drugs. We provide a range of liposome types, including multilamellar, small unilamellar, and large unilamellar vesicles.
Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) are nanoscale delivery systems composed of lipid-based materials, designed to encapsulate and protect therapeutic agents such as RNA, DNA, or small molecules. They are widely used in pharmaceuticals for targeted drug delivery and enhanced stability, with prominent applications in mRNA vaccines and gene therapy. LNPs offer advantages like biocompatibility, scalability, and efficient cellular uptake, making them a key innovation in advanced medicine and nanotechnology. BOC Sciences delivers expert lipid nanoparticle (LNP) development services, ideal for mRNA vaccines, gene therapy, and targeted drug delivery systems. Our team specializes in engineering LNPs with precise particle size control, optimized encapsulation efficiency, and tailored surface properties to ensure stability and effective cellular uptake.
Lipid derivatives play a pivotal role in industrial production across diverse sectors. In pharmaceuticals, they serve as key components in drug delivery systems, enhancing solubility, stability, and bioavailability of active ingredients. In the food industry, lipid derivatives such as emulsifiers improve texture, shelf life, and nutritional value in various products. Cosmetics benefit from lipid-based ingredients that provide moisture retention, skin barrier protection, and enhanced texture. Furthermore, lipid derivatives are essential in bioplastics production, offering biodegradable alternatives for sustainable materials. Their versatility and functional properties make lipid derivatives highly valuable, driving innovation and efficiency in industrial applications globally.
Lipid for Drug Delivery | |
Nanoparticle-based Drug Delivery Systems: Review and Current Status | |
Lipids for Pharmaceutical Industry | |
Liposomes in Cosmetics | |
Lipids for Penetration Preparations | |
Lipids for Surfactants | |
Lipids for Moisturizers | |
Lipids for Detergents | |
Lipids for Biotechnology Industry | Fluorescent Liposomes in Cellular Studies |
Lipids for Gene Editing Therapies | |
Lipids for Isotope Probes | |
Lipids for Fluorescent Labeling | |
Lipids for Cell Transfection | |
Lipids for Food Industry | Nano-encapsulation in Food Technology |
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