Fatty acid profiling of blood cell membranes by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry

Fatty acids, which are well‐known for their influence on human metabolism and signal transduction, are also a substantial component of cellular membranes and regulate the basic properties and functions of membranes. Owing to their multiple functions, fatty acid profiles of cell membranes are of great interest to those who are studying the relationship between membrane biochemical compositions and functions. A HCl‐catalyzed derivation method and a gas chromatography with mass spectrometry analysis method were developed to accurately profile the fatty acids in cell membranes of erythrocytes, leukocytes, and platelets. The detection limits of all 35 fatty acids ranged from 0.58 to 22 ng/mL and the limits of quantitation were between 2.1 and 72 ng/mL. Finally, the established method was used to profile the membrane fatty acids of 44 healthy volunteers from the north and south of China. Results revealed significant differences in the fatty acid profiles from the two regions, particularly those of the erythrocytes. This technique may be applied to cell membrane studies to generate new biological hypotheses concerning fatty acid composition and membrane functions as well as to construct related disease profiles.     

Characterization and purification of fatty acid methyl esters from the liver oil of the deep sea shark (Centrophorus squamosus) by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and countercurrent chromatography

Summary In the course of our studies on the location of marine products, we have directed our attention to the saponifiable fraction of the liver oil from the deep sea shark (Centrophorus squamosus). Different analytical and preparative techniques, such as high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), countercurrent chromatography (CCC), and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry [GC-MS, electron impact (EI) and positive-ion chemical ionization (PCI)] were used. These methods allowed us to characterize, after various derivatizations, most of the fatty acids formed after the saponification of the oil, and to purify two of them, namely: docosahexaenoic acid (DHA or 226) and docosamonoenoic acid (DMA or 221).     

Identification of 19 phthalic acid esters in dairy products by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry

A detection method for 19 kinds of phthalic acid ester compounds analyzed by n‐hexane/ether/acetonitrile 1:7:8 v/v/v mixed solvent extraction, quick, easy, cheap, effective, rugged, and safe purification and internal standard method of quantitative gas chromatography with mass spectrometry was established. This method can effectively remove interfering materials, such as lipids, fatty acids, and pigments, from dairy products. The 19 kinds of phthalic acid ester compounds were within a 0.025–0.2 mg/kg range, the recovery rate was 65.2–125.7%, relative standard deviation was 7.9–15.4% (n = 6), and the limit of detection was 0.005–0.02 mg/kg. Concentrations of the 19 kinds of phthalic acid ester compounds ranged between 0.01 and 0.12 mg/kg in ten dairy materials and 20 dairy products. The established method is simple, rapid, accurate, and highly sensitive.     

Evaluation of the separation characteristics of application-specific (fatty acid methyl esters) open-tubular columns for gas chromatography

The solvation parameter model is used to characterize the separation properties of the polar stationary phases EC-Wax and PAG with a poly(ethylene oxide) backbone (substituted with propylene oxide in the case of PAG) and the cyanopropyl-substituted polysilphenylene-siloxane stationary phase BPX90 at five equally spaced temperatures between 60 and 140 degrees C. The separation characteristics of these stationary phases are compared to four PEG and two poly(cyanopropylsiloxane) stationary phases (HP-20M, HP-Innowax, SolGel-Wax, DB-WAXetr, HP-88, and SP-2340) characterized in the same way. The database of system constants for these polar stationary phases is used to provide insight into the separation mechanism for fatty acid methyl esters and to determine selectivity differences that can be expected for generically similar stationary phase types. The discussion is not structured to indicate which stationary phase should be used for a particular separation but to provide a general framework to demonstrate the relationship between the retention mechanism and stationary phase chemistry.     

Separation of triacylglycerols and free fatty acids in microalgal lipids by solid-phase extraction for separate fatty acid profiling analysis by gas chromatography

Microalgal lipids were separated into two fractions, triacylglycerols (TAGs) and free fatty acids (FFAs), by solid-phase extraction employing sodium carbonate as the sorbent and dichloromethane (20% by volume) in n-hexane as the extracting solvent. The TAG fraction was then saponified, followed by acidification, extraction and tert-butyldimethylsilyl esterification. The FFA fraction was directly acidified, extracted and derivatized. From the lipid extracts of eight microalgal species examined, a total of 13 fatty acids were detected in the TAG fractions and nine were found in the FFA fractions, with at much higher total TAG content in all microalgae. Oleic acid was the most prominent fatty acid in three species, α-linolenic acid was more abundant in two others, and palmitic acid was present in highest concentration in the remaining three species.     

Extraction methods of fat from food samples and preparation of fatty acid methyl esters for gas chromatography: A review

Global trends moved towards fast food consumption due to the busy lifestyle of humans. Hence, the intake of fat-related food has exceeded the daily dietary reference intake (DRI) of fat, which caused multiple diseases. Analysis of the fatty acid profile plays a vital role in nutritional labelling and helps to understand the availability of diverse fatty acids among food commodities. This article reviews, general fatty acid extraction and derivatization techniques that have been developed in the past few decades due to the structural differences of fatty acids and briefed the steps involved in the complete process of fatty acid analysis using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Hence, the review mainly focused on conventional extraction methods, followed by microwave-assisted extraction (MAE), ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE), and supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) methods and widely used acid, base, and modified derivatization techniques. Importantly, this article compares the results of the previous studies in each section which assist to decide on the most appropriate pathway for the fatty acid analysis for different selected food types. Therefore, it is hoped that this review may help researchers to develop existing experimental methods and to improve ‘bad’ fatty acid level mitigation techniques in future.     

Characterization and purification of polyunsaturated fatty acids from microalgae by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and countercurrent chromatography

Summary The present study was undertaken in order to characterize then to purify fatty acids from marine phytoplankton. From a crude mixture of fatty acid methyl esters it was possible to isolate by countercurrent chromatography a mixture of four polyunsaturated fatty acid methyl ester identified as being hexadecatrienoic acid methyl ester, octadecatetraenoic acid methyl ester, eicosapentaenoic acid methyl ester and docosahexaenoic acid methyl ester by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry in electron impact and in positive-ion chemical ionization mode. The four polyunsaturated fatty acids are in different ratios in mixtures from the two microorganisms:Skeletonema costatum andIsochrysis galbana.     

Gas chromatography-mass spectrometric determination of polybrominated diphenyl ethers in complex fatty matrices from aquaculture activities

Gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry in negative chemical ionization mode (GC-(NCI)MS) has been applied to the quantification and reliable identification of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) in animal and vegetable samples from aquaculture activities. Matrices analyzed included fish fillet, fish feed, fish oil and linseed oil, their fat content ranged from 5% to 100%. Solid-phase extraction (SPE) (using Florisil and silica cartridges) and normal-phase high performance liquid chromatography were tested for an efficient clean-up in order to obtain sample extracts free of interfering compounds. Combining sulphuric acid digestion and SPE with Florisil led to the highest efficiency in the elimination of interferences from the extracts. The sample procedure developed, together with the application of GC-(NCI)MS for measurement, led to the satisfactory determination of PBDEs at μg kg ⁻¹ levels in complex aquaculture matrices with high lipid content. The use of a short and thin film-thickness fused-silica capillary column allowed to determine the problematic BDE 209 with satisfactory results. Three m/z ions were acquired for each analyte, which ensured a reliable identification of compounds detected in samples.     

Determination of fatty acids in soil samples by gas chromatography with mass spectrometry coupled with headspace solid‐phase microextraction using a homemade sol–gel fiber†

Through the use of a homemade sol–gel‐derived fiber, a headspace solid‐phase microextraction technique coupled to gas chromatography with mass spectrometry was developed for the determination of fatty acids with long, even‐numbered carbon chains (C₁₂–C₂₄) in soil samples. The experimental parameters such as reaction time, temperature, and ionic strength that might affect derivatization, extraction, and desorption were investigated. Under the optimized conditions, the linearity of the method ranged from 0.1 to 100 mg/L with a correlation coefficient >0.997. The limit of detection values based on a signal‐to‐noise ratio of 3:1 were determined with the concentration from 0.39 to 39.4 μg/L. The recoveries of the method for the soil samples were from 91.15 to 108.1%. This developed method using a homemade fiber showed a higher sensitivity than that using a commercial polydimethylsiloxane fiber and was also for the analysis of real soil samples from the Paomaling geological park of China.     

Simultaneous determination of 15 steroids in rat blood via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to evaluate the impact of emasculation on adrenal

Adrenal was believed to affect the prostate tumor tissue growth by its secretion of adrenal androgens. However, the mechanisms regulating these effects were not fully understood. In this work, a sensitive and specific method for the determination of 15 steroids in blood via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in selective ion storage detection mode was established to evaluate the impact of emasculation on adrenal steroids metabolism. Steroids were isolated by solid-phase extraction using Oasis HLB cartridge, and then derivated with heptafluorobutyric anhydride before analysis. The limits of detection were between 0.15 and 1.0 ng/mL and limits of quantification were between 0.62 and 2.6 ng/mL. The recoveries of steroids were above 83%, and both the intra-day and inter-day precisions (RSD%) were lower than 8%. Pregnenolone, progesterone, 17α-hydroxyprogesterone (17αP), 17α-hydroxypregnenolone (17αH), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), estrone, 17β-estradiol, dihydrotestosterone (DHT), testosterone (T), 4-androstenedione (4-A), 1,4-androstadiene-3,17-dione, 11-deoxycortisol, 11-deoxycorticosterone, cortisol and aldosterone were quantified in 156 major male SD rats at 0, 1, 2, 4, 7 days, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, and 16 weeks following emasculation. T and DHT decreased by 86.2% and 73.4%, respectively in the first 7 days following emasculation, but adrenal androgens (DHEA, 4-A) stabled at the normal level accordingly. Adrenal androgens and their precursors (17αH, 17αP) increased from the 2nd week along with the increase of androgens and the decrease of mineralocorticoids. These facts revealed that adrenal possibly enhanced its function of producing adrenal androgens from the 2nd week responding to the low androgens level induced by emasculation.     

Capillary gas chromatography and mass spectrometry detection of anabolic steroids II

High resolution gas chromatography-mass spectrometry has been used to detect anabolic steroids in urine. With fused silica capillary columns connected directly to mass spectrometer, the anabolic steroids could be detected after extraction, hydrolysis, and derivatization with a sensitivity better then 1 ppb. In vivo excretion and metabolism has been investigated for androstanolone, methandriol, oxymesterone, quindenione, and boldenone.     

Solid-phase microextraction for the gas chromatography mass spectrometric determination of oxazole fungicides in malt beverages

This paper describes a method for the sensitive, selective, and solvent-free determination of six oxazole fungicide residues (hymexazol, drazoxolon, vinclozolin, chlozolinate, oxadixyl, and famoxadone) in malt beverages. Direct immersion solid-phase microextraction (DI-SPME) coupled to gas chromatography with mass spectrometry in the selected ion monitoring mode, GC-MS(SIM), is used. A comparison of the optimal fiber used, a polar carbowax-divinylbenzene 70-microm fiber, and a nonpolar polydimethylsiloxane 100-microm fiber was carried out. Optimal extraction conditions were 60 degrees C and an extraction time of 30 min under continuous stirring. Desorption was carried out at 250 degrees C for 5 min. Detection limits ranged from 0.006 to 0.3 microg L(-1) at a signal to noise ratio of 3, depending on the compound. The proposed method was successfully applied to malt beverages including malt, beer, and whisky, and none of the samples contained residues higher than detection limits.     

气相色谱法测定生物柴油中脂肪酸甲酯含量

生物柴油是利用动植物油脂等可再生资源通过酯交换技术制造的可以替代石化柴油的新型清洁安全燃料[1-3]它的主要成分是脂肪酸甲酯。由于不同油脂原料所生产的生物柴油的脂肪酸甲脂组成不同因而测定时所需的气相色谱条件与方法也不尽相同[4-6]。本文采用HP-innowax毛细管色谱柱,     

Use of 2,2-dimethoxypropane for the direct gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric determination of some organic compounds in water

The well known reaction between 2,2-dimethoxypropane and water allows for the conversion of an aqueous into an organic solution ready to be injected directly into a gas chromatographic-mass spectrometric (GC-MS) system. Only time, temperature and water/ketal ratio were the parameters studied among those which influence the equilibrium reaction. The reaction environment is not suitable for all compounds: acids, esters, alcohols, amines, ketones and phenols may react with methanol, acetone and ketal owing to Amberlyst being present as catalyst. This method is proposed for the GC-MS analysis of aqueous solutions containing hydrocarbons, halogenated hydrocarbons and ethers. The determination of some pesticides in water is reported.     

稻谷副产品中脂肪酸的气相色谱-质谱分析

对稻谷副产品脂肪酸的组成和含量进行分析测定. 采用索氏提取法提取了稻谷副产品中的脂肪油, 再进行甲酯化处理, 利用气相色谱-质谱法对其脂肪酸组成及含量进行了分析测定. 结果表明, 从稻糠、稻叶、稻秆中鉴定出的脂肪酸分别占其总检出量的96.72%、 71.77%和92.63%, 不饱和脂肪酸含量分别为72.88%、 45.26%和66.96%.     

Detection in urine of efaproxiral (RSR13), a potential doping agent, by a routine screening procedure based on methylation followed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

Efaproxiral (also known as RSR13) is a synthetic allosteric modifier of hemoglobin. The ability to increase maximal muscle oxygen uptake makes RSR13 a potential performance-enhancing agent for athletes and, therefore, a new agent to be taken into account by the antidoping control laboratories. In this work, a new method for the detection of efaproxiral in urine by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry is described.     

Reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography of fatty acid methyl esters with particular reference to cyclopropenoic and cyclopropanoic acids

High performance liquid chromatography of saturated, monounsaturated, diunsaturated, triunsaturated, cyclopropenoic (malvalic and sterculic) and cyclopropanoic (cis-8,9-methylenehexadecanoic and dihydrosterculic) fatty acids was performed with their methyl esters. All separations were carried out with two types of reversed phase columns, the eluent consisting of an acetonitrile/water mixture. The effect of water was studied in the range 0–15%. The best separation was obtained with acetonitrile/water (85:15 v/v). Quantitative results indicated that the detection limits depended upon ultraviolet wavelength and in the present study were 4 ng of methyl sterculate and 125 ng of methyl dihydrosterculate at 195 nm.     

气相色谱/质谱法分析孔石莼中的脂肪酸

建立了孔石莼脂肪酸的气相色谱/质谱(GC/MS)测定方法。使用Folch法提取了孔石莼中的总脂,经过2 mol/L HCl-甲醇溶液的甲酯化处理后,采用GC/MS法对其脂肪酸组成进行了分离分析,同时结合有机质谱学规律,分别对饱和脂肪酸甲酯、单不饱和脂肪酸甲酯和多不饱和脂肪酸甲酯的裂解规律和质谱特征进行了分析归纳。通过质谱数据库检索和标准品对照,鉴定出孔石莼中的24种脂肪酸,其中9,12,15-十八碳三烯酸、4,7,10,13-十六碳四烯酸和6,9,2,15-十八碳四烯酸3种主要多不饱和脂肪酸占总脂肪酸含量的45.14%。通过对孔石莼中脂肪酸的分析,表明特征离子在脂肪酸甲酯尤其是多不饱和脂肪酸甲酯的定性方面具有很好的应用价值。