An improved derivatization method for sensitive determination of fatty acids by high-performance liquid chromatography using 9-(2-hydroxylethyl)-carbazole as derivatization reagent with fluorescence detection

Summary Tagging techniques with reagents used for fluorescent detection for short and long-chain fatty acids using high-performance liquid chromatography are evaluated in terms of the tagging reactions, handing, flexibility, stability of the reagents. Emphasis is given to the applications of the tagging techniques to relatively high molecular mass fatty acids. The fatty acids or carboxylic compounds were derivatized to their corresponding esters with 9-(2-hydroxy ethyl)-carbazole (HEC) in acetonitrile at 60°C with N, N′-carbonyldiimidazole (CDI) as a coupling agent in the presence of 4-dimethylaminopyridine (DMAP). A mixture of esters of C₁−C₂₀ fatty acids was completely separated with 45 min using gradient elution on a reversed-phase C₁₈ column. The maximum fluorescence emission for the derivatized fatty acids is at 365 nm (λ_ex 293 nm). Studies on derivatization conditions indicated that fatty acids react rapidly and smoothly with HEC in the presence of CDI and DMAP in acetonitrile to give the corresponding sensitively fluorescent derivatives. The application of this method to the analysis of long chain fatty acids in plasma is also investigated. The LC separation shows good selectivity and reproducibility for fatty acids derivatives. The relative standard deviations (n=6) for each fatty acid derivative are <5.0%. The detection limits are at 38–57 fmol levels for C₁₄−C₂₀ fatty acids and lower levels for <C₁₄ fatty acids.     

Determination of fatty acids in atmospheric samples via GC/MS

Summary Atmospheric precipitation and aerosol samples are characterized by a complex mixture of several organic compounds. A simple method for the simultaneous determination of the main compound classes by GC/MS is presented. In detail, seasonal variations of C₈–C₃₂ fatty acids in precipitation in a semirural area have been studied. Total fatty acids concentrations of 7–53 g/l were detected. Summer rain is characterized by high amounts of fatty acids >C₂₀ and lower amounts of C₁₁–C₂₀ species. Two effects may be responsible: larger emission rates of fatty acids during vegetation periods and an increased influence of vapour phase due to higher temperatures during summer. CPI values showed no general trend; lower CPI values for winter rain could not be observed. This would be expected if anthropogenic sources play an important role. Monounsaturated fatty acids (C_16:1, C_18:1) were more abundant during winter than in summer. High concentrations of polyunsaturated fatty acids (C_18:x) could be detected during summer. High relative concentrations of the potential oxidation products of the unsaturated species, nonanedioic acid and w-oxononanoic acid, are associated with relatively low concentrations of their precursors.     

A Novel Labeling Reagent of 2-(12-Benzo[b]acridin-5-(12H)-yl)-acetohydrazide for Determination of Saturated and Unsaturated Fatty Acids in Traditional Chinese Herbs by HPLC-APCI-MS

A new fluorescence labeling reagent 2-(12-benzo[b]acridin-5(12H)-yl)-acetohydrazide (BAAH) has been designed for fatty acids labeling. Eleven fatty acids containing seven saturated and four unsaturated fatty acids were used to evaluate the analytical potential of this reagent. The labeling reaction of BAAH with fatty acids was completed at 85 °C for 60 min using 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-carbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC·HCl) as the condensing agent. Separation of the derivatized fatty acids was carried out on a reversed-phase Thermo Hypersil Gold C18 column (4.6 mm × 250 mm, 5 μm) in combination with a gradient elution with a good baseline resolution. The fluorescence excitation and emission wavelengths were set at λ_ex 280 and λ_em 510 nm, respectively. The identification was carried out by the online APCI-MS in positive-ion detection mode. Linear correlation coefficients for all fatty acid derivatives were of >0.9994. Detection limits, at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3:1, were 3.89–12.5 nmol L⁻¹ for the labeled fatty acids. The developed method was successfully applied to the accurate determination of fatty acids in five traditional Chinese herbs with satisfactory results.

     

高效液相色谱-质谱分离鉴定荧光试剂标记的脂肪酸

以2-(2-(10-蒽基)-萘[2,3-d]咪唑)-乙基-对甲苯磺酸酯(ANITS)作为柱前衍生化试剂,在Eclipse XDB-C8色谱柱上,梯度洗脱实现了20种游离脂肪酸(FFA)衍生物的完全基线分离。90℃下在DMF溶剂中以K2CO3作催化剂,选取衍生试剂摩尔数为脂肪酸的7倍,衍生反应40min可获得稳定的荧光产物。激发和发射波长分别为250nm和512nm。采用大气压化学电离源(APCI)正离子模式,实现了油菜蜂花粉中游离脂肪酸的质谱鉴定。所有脂肪酸的线性相关系数均大于0.9999,检出限为24.76~98.79fmol。     

A Novel Labeling Reagent of 2-(12-Benzo[b]acridin-5-(12H)-yl)-acetohydrazide for Determination of Saturated and Unsaturated Fatty Acids in Traditional Chinese Herbs by HPLC-APCI-MS

A new fluorescence labeling reagent 2-(12-benzo[b]acridin-5(12H)-yl)-acetohydrazide (BAAH) has been designed for fatty acids labeling. Eleven fatty acids containing seven saturated and four unsaturated fatty acids were used to evaluate the analytical potential of this reagent. The labeling reaction of BAAH with fatty acids was completed at 85?°C for 60?min using 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl)-carbodiimide hydrochloride (EDC·HCl) as the condensing agent. Separation of the derivatized fatty acids was carried out on a reversed-phase Thermo Hypersil Gold C18 column (4.6?mm?×?250?mm, 5?μm) in combination with a gradient elution with a good baseline resolution. The fluorescence excitation and emission wavelengths were set at λ_ex 280 and λ_em 510?nm, respectively. The identification was carried out by the online APCI-MS in positive-ion detection mode. Linear correlation coefficients for all fatty acid derivatives were of >0.9994. Detection limits, at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3:1, were 3.89–12.5?nmol?L^?1 for the labeled fatty acids. The developed method was successfully applied to the accurate determination of fatty acids in five traditional Chinese herbs with satisfactory results.     

Separation of Hydroxylated Metabolites of Fatty Acids (C10-C18) on a μPorasil Silica Column Using an Isocratic HPLC System

Abstract

A simple, versatile, and rapid normal-phase isocratic HLPC system is described for the analysis of the major (omega and omega-1) metabolites of C₁₀-C₁₈ chain length fatty acids formed upon incubation with rat liver microsomes and NADPH. Quantitation was achieved by radiometric detection. Chromatographic separation was performed by elution of the fatty acids and their omega and omega-1 metabolites from a 10μ silica column (μPorasil) with hexane:2-propanol:acetic acid (96.5:2.5:1.0). Retention times for these metabolites ranged from 10 to 13 minutes for stearic acid and from 16 to 21 minutes for capric acid. Recovery of the fatty acids and their metabolites from the column was greater than 95 percent. Relative quantitative conversion of the fatty acid substrates to omega and omega-1 metabolites was in the following order: myristic acid > capric acid=lauric acid=palmitic acid ? stearic acid. The omega products were formed preferentially over the omega-1 products of all the fatty acids except lauric acid. The method proved suitable for routine determination of NADPH-dependent fatty acid hydroxylase activities in rat liver microsomes.     

Analysis of long-chain fatty acids in grey wastewater with in-vial derivatisation

The presence and levels of long-chain fatty acids (C₆–C₂₀) in grey wastewater from bathrooms have been investigated. The acids were purified and concentrated by solid-phase extraction on strong anion exchange discs, in-vial derivatised to their corresponding methyl ester and subsequently analysed by GC-MS. The method was able to quantify the acids at concentration <1?µg/L with a recovery of 31–97%. The levels of fatty acids were found in the range of <0.5 to 27?100?µg/L and the highest levels were found for the saturated lauric (C₁₂), palmitic (C₁₆) and stearic (C₁₈) acids. The treatment efficiency of a local treatment plant was evaluated by comparing concentrations of fatty acids at the inlet and the outlet. It was found that the treatability decreases with increasing chain length for the saturated acids (19–100% degradation) whereas the corresponding mono unsaturated acids were more easily degraded.     

Rapid analysis of free medium-chain fatty acids and related ethyl esters in beer using SPE and HRGC

A modification of a procedure by Hage [1] is proposed for the gas chromatographic evaluation of the content of free medium-chain fatty acids and related ethyl esters in beer. The method involves extraction of free fatty acids and ethyl esters by SPE using C₁₈ bonded phase columns, derivatization of free fatty acids and related ethyl esters with diazomethane, and GC analysis using an SP-2340 capillary column. The results obtained have shown the method to be rapid and highly reproducible. The technique has been compared with other methods used for determination of free fatty acids.     

Determination of 30 Free Fatty Acids in Two Famous Tibetan Medicines by HPLC with Fluorescence Detection and Mass Spectrometric Identification

A simple and sensitive high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method with fluorescence detection and mass spectrometric identification has been developed for analysis of 30 long-chain and short-chain free fatty acids (FFAs). The fatty acids were derivatized to their esters with 1-[2-(p-toluenesulfonate)ethyl]-2-phenylimidazole-[4,5-f]-9,10-phenanthrene (TSPP) in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) at 90 °C with anhydrous K₂CO₃ as catalyst. A mixture of C₁–C₃₀ fatty acids was completely separated within 60 min by gradient elution on a reversed-phase C₈ column. Qualitative identification of the acids was performed by atmospheric-pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry (APCI–MS) in positive-ion mode. The fluorescence excitation and emission wavelengths were 260 and 380 nm, respectively. Quantitative determination of the 30 acids in two Tibetan medicines Gentiana straminea and G. dahurica was performed. The results indicated that the medicines contained many FFAs. Linear correlation coefficients for the FFA derivatives were >0.9991. Relative standard deviations (RSDs, n = 6) for the fatty acid derivatives were <3%. Detection limits (at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3:1) were 3.1–38 fmol. When the fatty acid derivatives were determined in the two real samples results were satisfactory and the sensitivity and reproducibility of the method were good.     

Determination of Free Fatty Acids in Tibet Folk Medicine Potentilla anserina L. Using a New Labeling Reagent by LC with Fluorescence Detection and Identification with Online Atmospheric Chemical Ionization-MS Identification

A sensitive method for the determination of free fatty acids using 1,2-benzo-carbazole-9-ethyl-p-toluenesulfonate (BCETS) as tagging reagent with fluorescence detection has been developed. BCETS could easily and quickly label fatty acids in the presence of the K₂CO₃ catalyst at 80 °C for 30 min in N,N-dimethylformamide solvent. In this study, fatty acids from the extracted Potentilla anserina L. plant sample were sensitively determined. The corresponding derivatives were separated on a reversed-phase Eclipse XDB-C₈ column by LC in conjunction with gradient elution. The identification was carried out by post-column APCI-MS in positive-ion detection mode. BCETS-fatty acid derivatives gave an intense molecular ion peak at m/z [M+H]⁺, the collision-induced dissociation spectra of m/z [M+H]⁺ produced the specific fragment ions at m/z [M′+CH₂CH₂]⁺, m/z 216.6 and m/z [MH?H₂O]⁺ (here, M′: corresponding molecular mass of the fatty acids). The fluorescence excitation and emission wavelengths of the derivatives were at λ _ex 279 nm and λ _em 380 nm, respectively. Linear correlation coefficients for all fatty acid derivatives are more than 0.9994. Detection limits, at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3:1, are 10.79–34.19 fmol for the labeled fatty acids.     

Structural characterization of gentiobiosyl diglycerides fromBacillus pumilus associated with ascidiaHalocynthia aurantium

A mixture of 1(3),2-di-O-acyl-3(1)-O-β-gentiobiosylglycerols was isolated from a sea isolate ofBacillus pumilus. The components of the mixture were structurally characterized by mass spectrometry and¹H and¹³C NMR spectroscopy data for the native compounds and their derivatives. The predominant component contains two C₁₅ acyl groups, while the second component contains C₁₅ and C₁₇ fatty acids. Six minor components differ in residues of fatty acids and/or their combinations. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 1, pp. 166–170, January, 2000.     

Structural characterization of gentiobiosyl diglycerides fromBacillus pumilus associated with ascidiaHalocynthia aurantium

A mixture of 1(3),2-di-O-acyl-3(1)-O-β-gentiobiosylglycerols was isolated from a sea isolate ofBacillus pumilus. The components of the mixture were structurally characterized by mass spectrometry and¹H and¹³C NMR spectroscopy data for the native compounds and their derivatives. The predominant component contains two C₁₅ acyl groups, while the second component contains C₁₅ and C₁₇ fatty acids. Six minor components differ in residues of fatty acids and/or their combinations. Translated fromIzvestiya Akademii Nauk. Seriya Khimicheskaya, No. 1, pp. 166–170, January, 2000.     

Analysis of free fatty acids by a micro-liquid chromatograph directly coupled with a mass spectrometer through a vacuum nebulizing interface

A liquid chromatograph directly coupled with a quadrupole mass spectrometer through a vacuum nebulizing interface was applied to the analysis of various free fatty acids. Chemical ionization mass spectra of the C₇? C₂₂ free fatty acids were first examined using either methanol or benzene as the reagents. Then the practical compositional analysis of the fatty acids were performed with various biological samples such as bean oil, rape oil, palm oil and milk fat where most of the fatty acids are included as their triglycerides.     

Unsubstituted and Hydroxy Substituted Fatty Acids in a Recent Lacustrine Sediment: (Lake Léman,Geneva, Switzerland)

Abstract

Unsubstituted as well as α-, β- and (ω-1)-hydroxy substituted fatty acids were analyzed in a 5 m long sediment core taken from Lake Léman (Switzerland). All these acids occur in three forms: unbound, bound and tightly bound and our results show that there is no conversion from one form to another. The fact that below a burial depth of 30 cm the abundance profiles show no decreasing trend indicates that the diagenetic reactions do not operate below that depth. On the basis of our results, compared with other published data, source correlations are postulated for each of the acid classes. The presence of unsubstituted monounsaturated acids in the C₂₀ to C₃₂ range probably indicates that long chain fatty acids cannot be considered only as indicators of inputs from higher plants. Finally, C₂₇, C₂₉ and C₃₁ (ω-1)-hydroxyacids with unusual structures have also been found in these sediments, as well as 2-methyl nonacosanoic acid; their origin has not yet been established.     

Purification and monolayer study of the thylacoid lipids of moss marchantia polymorpha

The original lipid content of the thylakoid membranes of moss Marchantia polymorpha has been determined for the first time. In particular, the content of SQDG is almost 3 times higher than those for both of the other classes. The ratios for DGDG and MGDG are just a little bit lower than those for green algae, but almost 2 times less than those for plants. The distribution of unsaturated bonds has changed in C₁₈ -residues of fatty acids. The total content of C₁₈-residues in thylacoid lipids have been almost the same but the content of C_18:1, C_18:2 and C_18:3 are altered in the fractions of DGDG, PG and PE. The light stress produces only the quantitative, but no qualitative, changes of the thylakoid lipid composition. The properties of the thylakoid lipids and corresponding fatty acids in the monolayers at the liquid/gas interfaces have been studied. The changes in distribution of unsaturated bonds in C₁₈ residues of fatty acids at light stress have been confirmed by Langmuir method.     

Synthesis of Gb3 Glycosphingolipids with Labeled Head Groups: Distribution in Phase‐Separated Giant Unilamellar Vesicles

The receptor lipid Gb₃ is responsible for the specific internalization of Shiga toxin (STx) into cells. The head group of Gb₃ defines the specificity of STx binding, and the backbone with different fatty acids is expected to influence its localization within membranes impacting membrane organization and protein internalization. To investigate this influence, a set of Gb₃ glycosphingolipids labeled with a BODIPY fluorophore attached to the head group was synthesized. C₂₄ fatty acids, saturated, unsaturated, α‐hydroxylated derivatives, and a combination thereof, were attached to the sphingosine backbone. The synthetic Gb₃ glycosphingolipids were reconstituted into coexisting liquid‐ordered (l_o)/liquid‐disordered (l_d) giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs), and STx binding was verified by fluorescence microscopy. Gb₃ with the C_24:0 fatty acid partitioned mostly in the l_o phase, while the unsaturated C_24:1 fatty acid distributes more into the l_d phase. The α‐hydroxylation does not influence its partitioning.     

Production of Biodiesel Fuel by Transesterification of Triglycerides in the Presence of Sodium Pyrophosphate

The possibility of using anhydrous sodium pyrophosphate and its decahydrate in transesterification of triacyl glycerides (with sunflower and rapeseed oils as examples) with methanol to obtain biodiesel fuel was examined. As shown by gas-chromatographic analysis, at the vegetable oil to methanol ratio of 1: 12, temperature of 65°C, reaction time of 2 h, and catalyst concentration of no less than 6 wt %, the maximal yield of methyl esters of fatty acids (biodiesel) was 93 and 69% when using Na₄P₂O₇ and Na₄P₂O₇·10H₂O, respectively. The catalytic effect of sodium pyrophosphate in the transesterification of triacyl glycerides was attributed to its methanolysis with the formation of sodium methylate. Water present in sodium pyrophosphate decahydrate causes hydrolysis of the formed sodium methylate; therefore, the yield of methyl esters of fatty acids is lower than with anhydrous pyrophosphate. Anhydrous sodium pyrophosphate can be used repeatedly no less than five times without significant decrease in the yield of methyl esters of fatty acids. Sodium pyrophosphate can be recommended for use in transesterification with other esters and alcohols.

     

Nonglyceride complex of the seed oil ofOnopordum acanthium

Extraction of the comminuted seeds has yielded an oil from which have been isolated: C₃₃-C₂₅, C₁₈ and C₁₇ paraffinic hydrocarbons, C_18:1, C_18:2, C_18:3, C_17:1, C_17:2 and C_17:3 olefinic hydrocarbons, ethyl esters of C_32:0, C_31:0, C_30:0, C_29:0, and C_28:0 fatty acids, sterols with molecular weights of 414, 412, and 400, and the alcohols α-amyrin and lupeol with their natural acetates. Extraction of the uncomminuted seeds has shown that the paraffinic hydrocarbons, ethyl esters, and alcohol acetates pass into the oil from the husks of the seeds. This is the first time that the C_31:0 and C_29:0 fatty acids have been detected as natural compounds, and it is the first time that the ethyl esters of C₃₄, C₃₃, C₃₂, C₃₁, and C₃₀ fatty acids have been isolated from seed oils of higher plants.     

Determination of fatty acid methyl esters derived from algae Scenedesmus dimorphus biomass by GC–MS with one‐step esterification of free fatty acids and transesterification of glycerolipids

Algae can synthesize, accumulate and store large amounts of lipids in its cells, which holds immense potential as a renewable source of biodiesel. In this work, we have developed and validated a GC–MS method for quantitation of fatty acids and glycerolipids in forms of fatty acid methyl esters derived from algae biomass. Algae Scenedesmus dimorphus dry mass was pulverized by mortar and pestle, then extracted by the modified Folch method and fractionated into free fatty acids and glycerolipids on aminopropyl solid‐phase extraction cartridges. Fatty acid methyl esters were produced by an optimized one‐step esterification of fatty acids and transesterification of glycerolipids with boron trichloride/methanol. The matrix effect, recoveries and stability of fatty acids and glycerolipids in algal matrix were first evaluated by spiking stable isotopes of pentadecanoic‐2,2‐d₂ acid and glyceryl tri(hexadecanoate‐2,2‐d₂) as surrogate analytes and tridecanoic‐2,2‐d₂ acid as internal standard into algal matrix prior to sample extraction. Later, the method was validated in terms of lower limits of quantitation, linear calibration ranges, intra‐ and inter‐assay precision and accuracy using tridecanoic‐2,2‐d₂ acid as internal standard. The method developed has been applied to the quantitation of fatty acid methyl esters from free fatty acid and glycerolipid fractions of algae Scenedesmus dimorphus .     

Lipids of the petals ofCarthamus tinctorius

The following compounds have been identified in the lipids of the petals ofCarthamus tinctorius: C₃₂ and C₂₉ isoparaffins; free fatty acids, the main component of which is palmitic acid; 33 esters of phytol, esterified with three groups of fatty acids — paraffinic, isoparaffinic, and monoenoic of the C₉–C₂₆ series; and β-sitosterol and its β-D-glucopyranoside.