Abstract
Specimens of human sebum were obtained from the forearm of 132 subjects assigned to one of five groups. An analysis of the total fatty acids of these sebum specimens revealed two patterns based on the content of isopentadecanoic acid (iso 15:0) and ante iso-pentadecanoic acid (ante 15:0). Type A was characterized by a content of iso 15:0 greater than ante 15:0. Type B pattern showed a content of ante 15:0 about four or five times greater than iso 15:0. These patterns varied as function of subject age. From the relationship between these two patterns and age groups, it appears that the content of iso-pentadecanoic and ante iso-pentadecanoic acid in human sebum is age-dependent. Also, the ratios of the content of these two acids are inverse as a function of subject age.
