A sensitive phospholipase A assay suitable for organelle activities is described. Activation of the enzyme produces an increase in membrane lysophospholipids. The amino groups of extracted lipids were derivatized with 4-fluoro-7-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1,3-diazole and the amounts of phosphatidylethanolamine and its lysoform were quantitated using HPLC equipped with a SiO2 column and a fluorescence detector. The procedure was tested with porcine enzyme acting on liposomes and mitochondria, and with endogenous mitochondrial enzyme.