The use of Sep-Pak C18 reverse-phase cartridges to adsorb gangliosides from aqueous solutions was studied. When upper phases formed from chloroform-methanol tissue extracts or aqueous salt solutions containing gangliosides are rapidly passed through the cartridges, the lipids are retained and the non-lipid components can be washed through. Gangliosides and other retained lipids can subsequently be eluted with methanol or chloroform-methanol