FABES and FAPES – transesterification of triglycerides with higher alcohols. Quantitation and mass spectrometric evaluation

In order to facilitate the gas chromatographic determination of butyric as well as other short chain fatty acids, triglycerides containing these fatty acids were transbutylated and transpentylated to give FABES (fatty acid butyl esters) and FAPES (fatty acid pentyl esters), respectively. This method allows the molecular weight of the compounds to be increased while their polarity is decreased. Short chain esters elute sufficiently separated from the solvent; due to the decreased polarity, elution of long chain fatty acids is only slightly retarded compared to the corresponding methyl esters. Quantitative evaluation over a large series of injections proved the linearity of correction factors in both cases, FABES and FAPES, with a slight deviation for 16:0 and 18:0, respectively. Structural characterization was performed by GC/MS. It was shown that there are characterstic fragmentations for FABES as well as for FAPES. The El-mass spectra give structural information about the alcohol and acid moieties, the ester molecule and the Cl-spectra indicate the molecular weight. The absence of abundant highly characteristic peaks in the spectra of these esters makes the detection of FABES or FAPES in complex mixtures more difficult than the detection of FAMES with their very characteristic ions at m/z 74 and 87.     

Simple thin-layer chromatographic purification procedure for the determination of cholesterol ester fatty acid compositions

A mild procedure for the purification of methyl esters of the fatty acid components of cholesterol esters, from interfering free cholesterol and other contaminating residues, is described. Methyl esters and free cholesterol are formed during the methylation of cholesterol esters. When co-extracted, cholesterol and other contaminating residues interfere with the methyl esters because minute proportions of these residues tend to elute at the same retention times as palmitoleic and stearic acids, to yield unreliable but significantly higher values for palmitoleic (p less than 0.001) and stearic acids (p less than 0.0001), and correspondingly lower values for oleic acid (p less than 0.0001). Purification of methyl esters by thin-layer chromatography eliminates this problem and yields reliable analysis of cholesterol ester fatty acids, without measurable oxidation of unsaturated fatty acids.     

Prediction of equivalent chain lengths from two-dimensional fatty acid retention indices

A recently introduced two-dimensional fatty acid retention index system (2D-FARI) was used as basis for prediction of equivalent chain lengths (ECL) of fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) on a BPX-70 stationary phase. Models for the relationship between 2D-FARI data and ECL values of a calibration sample with 30 common fatty acids were established by a simple multivariate regression. The models were thereafter applied on 2D-FARI data for other FAMEs and used to predict the ECLs for these compounds. The 2D-FARI values for the fatty acids in the calibration sample are given by definition. Thus, the only information necessary to calculate the ECL value for a compound run under identical conditions as the calibration sample is the 2D-FARI values for the compound, which can be acquired from literature data. The method was validated with test sets analysed with different temperature and flow programs. ECLs of various marine FAME and trans isomers of Eicosapentaenoic and Docosahexaenoic acid were predicted with root mean squared error of prediction from 0.002 to 0.012 ECL units.     

Quantification of primary fatty acid amides in commercial tallow and tallow fatty acid methyl esters by HPLC-APCI-MS

Primary fatty acid amides are a group of biologically highly active compounds which were already identified in nature. Here, these substances were determined in tallow and tallow fatty acid methyl esters for the first time. As tallow is growing in importance as an oleochemical feedstock for the soap manufacturing, the surfactant as well as the biodiesel industry, the amounts of primary fatty acid amides have to be considered. As these compounds are insoluble in tallow as well as in the corresponding product e.g. tallow fatty acid methyl esters, filter plugging can occur. For the quantification in these matrices a purification step and a LC-APCI-MS method were developed. Although quantification of these compounds can be performed by GC-MS, the presented approach omitted any derivatization and increased the sensitivity by two orders of magnitude. Internal standard calibration using heptadecanoic acid amide and validation of the method yielded a limit of detection of 18.5 fmol and recoveries for the tallow and fatty acid methyl ester matrices of 93% and 95%, respectively. A group of commercially available samples were investigated for their content of fatty acid amides resulting in an amount of up to 0.54%m/m (g per 100 g) in tallow and up to 0.16%m/m (g per 100 g) in fatty acid methyl esters.     

Method for evaluating the bioconversion of radioactive polyunsaturated fatty acids by use of reversed-phase liquid chromatography

Reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography on a thermostatted octadecylsilyl column was used to separate mixtures of labelled polyunsaturated fatty acids (as their methyl esters) formed by successive desaturations and elongations of labelled linoleic (18:2 n - 6) or linolenic (18:3 n - 3) acid by rat liver microsomes. Acetonitrile-water mixtures were used for elution of the esters. Unsaturated and saturated esters were detected by their refractive indices. The order of elution of fatty acid methyl esters in complex mixtures varies as a function of the chain length and unsaturation, analysis temperature, water concentration and solvent flow-rate. The peak areas vary as a function of the unsaturation. Specific radioactivities of 14C-labelled fatty acids and the percentage distribution of radioactivity among fatty acids from complex mixtures can be efficiently determined by collection and direct measurement of the radioactivity in the solvent by liquid scintillation counting. The method can be applied to complete compositional analysis, but is especially useful for determination of specific radioactivities during studies on the metabolic conversion of labelled polyunsaturated fatty acids.     

Production of biodiesel by immobilized Candida sp. lipase at high water content

A new process for enzymatic synthesis of biodiesel at high water content (10–20%) with 96% conversion by lipase from Candida sp. 99–125 was studied. The lipase, a no-position-specific lipase, was immobilized by a cheap cotton membrane and the membrane-immobilized lipase could be used at least six times with high conversion. The immobilized lipase could be used for different oil conversion and preferred unsaturated fatty acids such as oleic acid to staturated fatty acids such as palmitic acid. The changes in concentration of fatty acids, diglycerides, and methyl esters in the reaction were studied and a mechanism of synthesis of biodiesel was suggested: the triglycerides are first enzymatically hydrolyzed into fatty acids, and then these fatty acids are further converted into methyl esters.     

Perfluoroalkyl ketones: novel derivatization products for the sensitive determination of fatty acids by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry in electron impact and negative chemical ionization modes

Analytically useful pentafluoro ketone derivatives of fatty acids are described. The gas chromatographic/mass spectrometric characteristics of these new derivatives are compared with those of methyl, trimethylsilyl and pentafluorobenzyl esters. Pentafluoro ketones exhibit excellent chromatographic properties and significantly shorter chromatographic retention times than these other esters. The electron impact mass spectra of these new compounds show informative acylium ions, whose intensity decreases with the degree of unsaturation of the parent fatty acid. The formation of strong and informative fragment ions in negative chemical ionization (CH(4)) mass spectra of pentafluoro ketone derivatives allows the detection and the characterization (length of the chain and number of double bonds) of fatty acids at trace levels (femtomole), even in the case of polyunsaturated compounds. The scope and limitations of this new derivatization technique are also discussed.     

Isolation of chlorinated fatty acid methyl esters derived from cell-culture medium and from fish lipids by using an aminopropyl solid-phase extraction column

An aminopropyl-based solid-phase extraction technique was used for isolation of chlorinated fatty acids in lipids. A range of different chlorinated fatty acids was eluted in a small volume of solvent (4 ml) and the recoveries of the different species and isomers were quantitative. Only 1% of the vastly dominating unchlorinated fatty acid methyl esters were recovered in the fractions containing the chlorinated fatty acid methyl esters. This method makes it possible to isolate and detect > or = 1 microg of a chlorinated fatty acid methyl ester in 1 g of lipid.     

Determination of emulsion explosives with Span-80 as emulsifier by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

A novel approach for identification and determination of emulsion explosives with Span-80 (sorbitol mono-oleate) as the emulsifier and their postblast residues by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) has been developed. 24 kinds of emulsion explosives collected have been processed by transesterification reaction with metholic KOH solution and the emulsifier has turned into methyl esters of fatty acids. From the peak area ratios of their methyl esters, most of these emulsion explosives can be differentiated. In order to detect the postblast residues of emulsion explosives, the sorbitols in the emulsifier Span-80 obtained after transesterification reaction have been further derivatized by silylation reaction with N,O-bis-(trimethylsilyl)trifluoroacetamide (BSTFA) containing 1% trimethylchlorosilane (TMCS) as the derivatizing reagent. The derivatization conditions were optimized and the derivatives were determined by GC-MS. The results showed that the silylation derivatives of sorbitol and it isomers, combined with hydrocarbon compounds and methyl esters of fatty acids, were the characteristic components for identification of the emulsion explosives. The established approach was applied to analyze the postblast residues of emulsion explosives. It has been found that the method was sensitive and specific, especially when detecting the derivatives of sorbitol and its isomers by GC-MS in selecting ion mode. The information of the characteristic components can help probe the origin of the emulsion explosives and providing scientific evidences and clues for solving the crimes of the emulsion explosive explosion.     

Studies on anti-allergic constituents in the leaves and stems of Anchientia salutaris var. martiana (Violaceae).

The anti-allergic active fractionation of hexane extracts of the leaves and stems of Anchietia salutaris var. martiana (family Violaceae) was performed by monitoring their activities with an in vitro bioassay system measuring the inhibitory effects on induced histamine release from guinea pig lung cells. Three known pentacyclic triterpenes (friedelin, alpha-amyrin, beta-amyrin) were isolated, but these compounds were inactive. Aliphatic hydrocarbons and methyl esters of fatty acids (palmitic, oleic, linoleic, linolenic acids) were detected in active fractions. All compounds isolated were detected for the first time in this medicinal plant.     

Capillary electrochromatographic enantioseparations using a packed capillary with a 3 microm OD-type chiral packing

A technique for separating methyl esters of monounsaturated fatty acids by argentation chromatography using silver nitrate-impregnated TLC plates is described. Monounsaturated fatty acid methyl esters are separated from polyunsaturated and saturated fatty acid methyl esters and the monounsaturated fatty methyl esters are resolved according to chain length. cis isomers are well resolved from the corresponding trans isomers. R(F) values for individual monounsaturated fatty acids are very reproducible. The potential of the technique in metabolic studies is demonstrated in the chain elongation of [14C]-18:1(n-9) and delta-9 desaturation of [14C]-18:0 by human skin fibroblasts. Recoveries of individual [14C]-fatty acids for scintillation counting exceed 94%.     

New halogen-specific detector applied to the analysis of chlorinated fatty acids

A new halogen-specific detection method (XSD) was tested for determination of chlorinated fatty acids in marine biota. In XSD, an increased emission of ions and electrons is caused by the high-temperature combustion of halogen-containing compounds. The detection limit of methyl dichlorooctadecanoate and the selectivity at a reactor temperature of 900 degrees C match those of electrolytic conductivity detection (ELCD). The relative standard deviation is less than 11% for > or =0.2 ng methyl dichlorooctadecanoate. An XSD chromatogram of a complex sample, chlorinated fatty acid methyl esters liberated from fish lipids, agreed with a previously obtained ELCD chromatogram.     

5-氟尿嘧啶N1-甲酰基氨基酸、短肽的合成及抗肿瘤活性

5-氟尿嘧啶N¹-甲酰氯分别与Gly、Val、Leu、Ile、Phe、Asp和Glu的苄酯反应,制备了7种5-氟尿嘧啶-N¹-甲酰基氨基酸苄酯。氢解后得到了相应的5-氟尿嘧啶N¹-甲酰氨基酸。将其进一步与氨基酸甲酯或二肽甲酯缩合,制备了5-氟尿嘧啶N¹-甲酰基二肽甲酯和三肽甲酯。5-氟尿嘧啶-N¹-甲酰基二肽甲酯也可采用5-氟尿嘧啶-N¹-甲酰氯与二肽甲酯直接反应制备。     

Simultaneous capillary gas chromatographic profiling of medium-and long-chain fatty acid methyl esters with split injection. Correction for injection-related discrimination by the 'bracketing' method

Split injection-related discrimination can be a source of inaccuracy and imprecision in quantitative capillary gas chromatographic profiling methods for compounds with relatively big differences in boiling points, such as the methyl esters of medium- and long-chain fatty acids prepared from biological materials. We systematically investigated a standard containing equal masses of saturated fatty acid methyl esters, with chain lengths from C5 to C26, under different injection conditions, including injection temperature, sample volume and split ratio. Day-to-day performance was studied under one set of conditions. Normalized peak areas, reciprocal response factors, using either C17 or C23 as an internal standard, and 'bracketed' reciprocal response factors (peak area of each analyte divided by half the sum of the peak areas of two adjacent esters were calculated. In all experiments the bracketed reciprocal response factors were found to be closest to unity with the lowest coefficients of variation.     

Creating a fatty acid methyl ester database for lipid profiling in a single drop of human blood using high resolution capillary gas chromatography and mass spectrometry

Capillary gas chromatography (CGC) in combination with mass spectrometry (MS) was optimized for the separation and detection of the fatty acids occurring in the lipid fraction of blood. A fingertip blood sample (ca. 50 microL) was transesterified into the methyl esters and analyzed on a 100 m x 0.25 mm ID column coated with a biscyanopropyl polysiloxane (HP-88) stationary phase. The method was retention time locked. Programmed temperature vaporization injection (PTV) in the solvent venting mode was applied to minimize the sample size, while maintaining high sensitivity. The total analysis time was ca. 60 min. Retention times and both electron impact (EI) and positive chemical ionization (PCI) mass spectrometry were combined to elucidate the fatty acids according to alkyl chain, degree of unsaturation and position of the double bonds. Using extracted ion chromatograms about 100 fatty acids and related compounds were detected in blood samples and most of them were identified. This work resulted in a very large fatty acid methyl esters database, containing retention time and mass spectral information that will be applied to metabolomic studies.     

Analytical monitoring of the production of biodiesel by high-performance liquid chromatography with various detection methods.

Gradient elution reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) was used for the determination of compounds occurring during the production of biodiesel from rapeseed oil. Individual triacylglycerols (TGs), diacylglycerols, monoacylglycerols and methyl esters of oleic, linoleic and linolenic acids and free fatty acids were separated in 25 min using a combined linear gradient with aqueous-organic and non-aqueous mobile phase steps: 70% acetonitrile+30% water in 0 min, 100% acetonitrile in 10 min, 50% acetonitrile+50% 2-propanol-hexane (5:4, v/v) in 20 min and 5 min final hold-up. Another method with a non-aqueous linear mobile phase gradient [from 100% methanol to 50% methanol+50% 2-propanol-hexane (5:4, v/v) in 15 min] was used for fast monitoring of conversion of rapeseed oil triacylglycerols to fatty acid methyl esters and for quantitation of residual TGs in the final biodiesel product. Sensitivity and linearity of various detection modes (UV detection at 205 nm, evaporative light scattering detection and mass spectrometric detection) were compared. The individual sample compounds were identified using coupled HPLC-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry in the positive-ion mode.     

Identification of intact long-chain p-hydroxycinnamate esters in leaf fibers of abaca (Musa textilis) using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

The study of acetone-extractable components from the leaf fibers of the non-wood plant abaca (Musa textilis) resulted in the isolation and identification of series of intact hydroxycinnamate esters consisting of ferulic and p-coumaric acids esterified to long-chain fatty alcohols (C20 to C28) and omega-hydroxyfatty acids (C22 to C28). These series of compounds were characterized by high-temperature gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) using capillary columns (12 m length) with thin films that allowed the analysis of intact (i.e., without prior saponification) hydroxycinnamate esters. Characterization of intact individual compounds was achieved based on the mass spectra obtained by GC/MS of the underivatized compounds and their methyl and/or trimethylsilyl ether derivatives.     

Proton affinities of saturated aliphatic methyl esters

The kinetic method was used to determine the proton affinities of methyl esters of several saturated fatty acids. Decompositions of the proton-bound dimers of the methyl esters, AHB⁺, were observed under different conditions with two instruments. The proton affinities (PAs) of the methyl esters increase continually with increasing carbon number in the acid. Equilibrium and initial rate experiments were performed with a Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometer on the methyl ester of the C₂₂ saturated acid (methyl behenate). These experiments give values for PA (methyl behenate) that are perhaps slightly lower than those obtained with the kinetic method. The PAs of the methyl esters of the fatty acids could be correlated with the equation: PA (ester) = (40.0 ± 2.5)*log(n) + (784.7 ± 3.9) kJ/mol or PA (ester) = (864 ± 2) − (479 ± 41)/n, wheren = number of atoms in the molecule. Proton affinities of smaller sets of 1-alkylamines and 1-alkanols can be fit to similar equations.     

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。     

Identification by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry of lipids from the rat Harderian gland

Lipids from rat Harderian glands were extracted with ethyl acetate, hydrolysed with base and examined by gas chromatography (GC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) as trimethylsilyl (TMS), [2H9]TMS, methyl ester-TMS, picolinyl, nicotinate and nicotinylidene derivatives. The latter three derivatives were used to reveal the structures of the alkyl chains of fatty acids, alcohols and glycerol ethers, respectively. Forty-eight compounds were identified, representing about 97% of the total extracted lipids as measured by GC peak areas. The major constituents were fatty acids with chain lengths from 12 to 22 carbon atoms (mainly C18 and C20) and fatty alcohols (C16 to C26) derived from wax esters. Most of these acids and alcohols were unsaturated in the omega-7 position and were accompanied by smaller amounts of the saturated and omega-5 monounsaturated analogues. glycerol ethers were also identified for the first time in this secretion; the ether chains contained from 14 to 19 carbon atoms (mainly 16) and were straight-chain saturated, unsaturated (omega-5 and omega-7) and branched (iso). The only sterol found was cholesterol amounting to 1.24% of the total extract.