The lipid composition of rat caecal mucosa, including the fatty acid composition of phospholipids and triacylglycerols, has been examined by capillary gas chromatography. Thirty-seven peaks were resolved, ranging in chain length from 12 to 24 carbon atoms. Preliminary identification of fatty acids by comparison with authentic standards was confirmed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry using electron-impact ionization. The neutral and polar components were examined. Fatty acid methyl esters were quantified in absolute amounts with respect to the percentage of total phospholipid and triacylglycerols. The results show significantly higher levels of 16:0, 18:0, 18:1(n-9), 18:1(n-7), 18:2(n-6) and 20:4(n-6) in phospholipids, and higher levels of 16:0, 18:1(n-9) and 18:2(n-6) in triacylglycerols. On the other hand, analysis of caecal triacylglycerols revealed sn-glycerol-palmitate-oleate-palmitate, sn-glycerol-palmitate-linoleate-palmitate and sn-glycerol-palmitate-linoleate-oleate as major components.