Breakdown of phospholipids in mild alkaline hydrolysis

Deacylation of phospholipids by mild alkaline hydrolysis is usually accompanied by some hydrolysis of phosphate ester bonds. This undesired side reaction is suppressed by polar solvents. Deacylation with lithium hydroxide in chloroform-methanol 2: 8 will cause the breakdown of not more than 0.1% of egg lecithin.