Occurrence of oleic and 18:1 methyl-branched acyl chains in lipids of Rhodobacter sphaeroides 2.4.1

The fatty acids (FAs) composition of lipids extracted from Rhodobacter sphaeroides 2.4.1 was investigated by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) analysis of the corresponding FA methyl esters (FAMEs), obtained through trans-esterification of the original lipid species. A GC stationary phase based on a highly polar ionic liquid (IL) was selected, aimed to enhance the separation of isomeric FAMEs with particular emphasis on positional and geometrical isomers of monounsaturated 16:1 and 18:1 fatty acyl chains. The occurrence of 18:1 cis-Δ⁹ (oleic) acid, a positional isomer of the well-known and most predominant 18:1 cis-Δ¹¹ (cis-vaccenic) acid, has been demonstrated here for the first time. Furthermore a methyl branched 18:1 FA was also identified and its structure tentatively assigned as 11-methyl-Δ¹²-octadecenoic acid (most likely as trans isomer). The unprecedented observation about 18:1 cis-Δ⁹ FA occurrence in R. sphaeroides 2.4.1 is, even indirectly, supported by a biosynthetic pathway postulated with the aid of the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) database. The concurrent presence of 16:1 cis-Δ⁷ and 18:1 cis-Δ⁹ FAs suggested the existence of parallel and/or complementary processes to those invoked for the formation of most common 16:1 cis-Δ⁹ and 18:1 cis-Δ¹¹ FAs. A further route was hypothesized for the trans FAs biosynthesis in wild-type cells of R. sphaeroides.     

Integrated multidimensional and comprehensive 2D GC analysis of fatty acid methyl esters

Fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) profiling in complex fish oil and milk fat samples was studied using integrated comprehensive 2D GC (GC × GC) and multidimensional GC (MDGC). Using GC × GC, FAME compounds – cis‐ and trans‐isomers, and essential fatty acid isomers – ranging from C18 to C22 in fish oil and C18 in milk fat were clearly displayed in contour plot format according to structural properties and patterns, further identified based on authentic standards. Incompletely resolved regions were subjected to MDGC, with Cn (n = 18, 20) zones transferred to a ²D column. Elution behavior of C18 FAME on various ²D column phases (ionic liquids IL111, IL100, IL76, and modified PEG) was evaluated. Individual isolated Cn zones demonstrated about four‐fold increased peak capacities. The IL100 provided superior separation, good peak shape, and utilization of elution space. For milk fat‐derived FAME, the ²D chromatogram revealed at least three peaks corresponding to C18:1, more than six peaks for cis/trans‐C18:2 isomers, and two peaks for C18:3. More than 17 peaks were obtained for the C20 region of fish oil‐derived FAMEs using MDGC, compared with ten peaks using GC × GC. The MDGC strategy is useful for improved FAME isomer separation and confirmation.     

Two methods for the separation of monounsaturated octadecenoic acid isomers

The identification and quantification of complex mixtures of cis and trans octadecenoic (18:1) fatty acid isomers presents a major challenge for conventional one-dimensional GC/FID analysis of their methyl esters. We have compared the use of two methods to achieve optimized separations of positional and geometrical octadecenoic fatty acid isomers—comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography (GC × GC), and silver ion high performance liquid chromatography interfaced to atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI) mass spectrometry. Nine isomers of octadecenoic acid methyl ester were well separated on a single silver ion column with a mobile phase of 0.018% acetonitrile and 0.18% isopropanol in hexane. Reproducible retention times were obtained with relative standard deviations of around 1% over 5 injections. The extra selectivity and reproducibility afforded by APPI-MS, together with the wide separation of cis and trans isomers by silver ion chromatography, resulted in a promising method for measurement of octadecenoic acid FAME. The GC × GC separation was performed using various column combinations, and optimal separation was obtained by coupling an ionic liquid column (Supelco SLB-IL100 [1,9-di(3-vinyl-imidazolium) nonane bis(trifluoromethyl) sulfonyl imidate]) in the first dimension with a SGE BPX50 (50% phenyl polysilphenylene-siloxane) in the second dimension. These methods have been applied to the analysis of octadecenoic acid in milk and beef fat.     

Conventional and fast gas chromatography analysis of biodiesel blends using an ionic liquid stationary phase

The present research is focused on the GC-FID determination of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) in diesel blends, by means of an ionic liquid stationary phase, characterized by a dicationic 1,9-di(3-vinyl-imidazolium)nonane bis(trifluoromethyl)sulfonylimidate structure (SLB-IL100). The high polarity of the ionic liquid stationary phase allowed the separation of the FAMEs, from the less-retained hydrocarbons, thus avoiding the requirement of a hydrocarbon LC pre-separation. The results derived from the analyses of a soybean FAMEs B20 sample, carried out on an SLB-IL100 conventional column (30 m × 0.25 mm i.d. × 0.20 mm d_f), were compared with those attained on a polyethylene glycol column, of equivalent dimensions. Conventional and fast GC methods, for the analysis of FAMEs in diesel blends, were developed on an SLB-IL100 30 m × 0.25 mm i.d. × 0.20 μm d_f and on an SLB-IL100 12 m × 0.10 mm i.d. × 0.08 μm d_f column, respectively. The optimized IL methods were subjected to validation: retention time and peak area intra-day precision (n = 5) were good, with CV % values lower than 0.08% and 4.9%, respectively. With regards to the quantitation of FAMEs in biodiesel blends, a five points calibration curve was constructed, using C_17:0 as internal standard.     

Evaluation of new ionic liquids as high stability selective stationary phases in gas chromatography

Two ionic liquids (ILs), namely (S,S)-1-butyl-3-(2'-hydroxy-cyclohexyl)-3H-imidazol-1-ium tetrafluoroborate and (S,S)-1-butyl-3-(2'-acetyl-cyclohexyl)-3H-imidazol-1-ium tetrafluoroborate have been employed as stationary phases in capillary gas chromatography. These new phases exhibit a column efficiency of 1,600 and 2,100 plates m(-1) for IL 1 and IL 2, respectively, a wide operating temperature range and good thermal stability (bleeding temperature of 250 °C for IL 1 and 160 °C for IL 2). Inverse gas chromatography (GC) analyses were used to study the solvation properties of these ILs through a linear solvation energy model. The application of these ILs as new GC stationary phases was studied. These stationary phases exhibited unique selectivity for many organic substances, such as alkanes, ketones, esters, and aromatic compounds. The efficient separation of several mixtures containing compounds of different polarities and the good separation of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) and cis/trans isomers indicate that these ILs may be applicable as a new type of GC stationary phases.     

Comparison of two gas–liquid chromatograph columns for the analysis of fatty acids in ruminant meat

Two gas–liquid chromatograph capillary columns for the analysis of fatty acids (FA) in ruminant fat are compared. Those columns are the CP-Sil 88 of 100 m long with a highly polar stationary phase and the Omegawax 250 of 30 m long with a stationary phase of intermediate polarity. Fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) patterns of branched-chain, cis and trans octadecenoate isomers, as well as conjugated and non-conjugated 18:2 and 18:3 isomers are fairly different between columns, even though most of the FAME could be separated on either column. However, the CP-Sil 88 showed better resolution of 18:1 isomers than Omegawax 250. The analysis of 96 samples of ruminant meat fat in both chromatographic systems showed that averages obtained for total FA content and for most of the individual FA did not differ between columns. Moreover, regression analysis of Omegawax and CP-Sil 88 data is highly correlated. Quantitative differences between chromatographic systems were detected for samples containing more than 66 mg fatty acids per gram of muscle dry matter.     

High temperature and highly selective stationary phases of ionic liquid bonded polysiloxanes for gas chromatography

Due to the special performance of “dual nature” and synthetic flexibility, ionic liquids (ILs) have been an attractive research subject of stationary phases for gas chromatography (GC). In this work, a novel ionic liquid (IL) bonded polysiloxane ([PSOMIM][NTf₂]) with anion of bis-trifluoromethanesulfonylimide (NTf₂⁻) was synthesized, and another one with chloride anion ([PSOMIM][Cl]) was also prepared for the purpose of comparison. The thermo-stability of the product was evaluated by thermogravimetric (TG) test and the result indicated that [PSOMIM][NTf₂] did not decompose slightly until 380 °C. Then the solvation behaviors of the ILs were characterized using solvation parameter model. Subsequently, [PSOMIM][NTf₂] and [PSOMIM][Cl] were used as stationary phases to prepare capillary columns for GC, respectively. The column efficiency of [PSOMIM][NTf₂] column was 4776 plates/m (k = 3.64 ± 0.08, naphthalene), and that of the other one was 3170 plates/m (k = 2.84 ± 0.11, naphthalene). The selectivity of the novel stationary phases for analytes, including Grob reagent, aromatic positional isomers was further evaluated. Furthermore, the chromatograms of n-alkanes and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) on [PSOMIM][NTf₂] column were compared with that on [PSOMIM][Cl] column. [PSOMIM][NTf₂] stationary phase also exerted good selectivity for fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and aromatic amines.     

Separation characteristics of fatty acid methyl esters using SLB-IL111, a new ionic liquid coated capillary gas chromatographic column

The ionic liquid SLB-IL111 column, available from Supelco Inc., is a novel fused capillary gas chromatography (GC) column capable of providing enhanced separations of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) compared to the highly polar cyanopropyl siloxane columns currently recommended for the separation of cis- and trans isomers of fatty acids (FAs), and marketed as SP-2560 and CP-Sil 88. The SLB-IL111 column was operated isothermal at 168°C, with hydrogen as carrier gas at 1.0 mL/min, and the elution profile was characterized using authentic GC standards and synthetic mono-unsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) isomers as test mixtures. The SLB-IL111 column provided an improved separation of cis- and trans-18:1 and cis/trans CLA isomers. This is the first direct GC separation of c9,t11- from t7,c9-CLA, and t15-18:1 from c9-18:1, both of which previously required complimentary techniques for their analysis using cyanopropyl siloxane columns. The SLB-IL111 column also provided partial resolution of t13/t14-18:1, c8- from c6/c7-18:1, and for several t,t-CLA isomer pairs. This column also provided elution profiles of the geometric and positional isomers of the 16:1, 20:1 and 18:3 FAMEs that were complementary to those obtained using the cyanopropyl siloxane columns. However, on the SLB-IL111 column the saturated FAs eluted between the cis- and trans MUFAs unlike cyanopropyl siloxane columns that gave a clear separation of most saturated FAs. These differences in elution pattern can be exploited to obtain a more complete analysis of complex lipid mixtures present in ruminant fats.     

Identification of cis/trans isomers of methyl ester and oxazoline derivatives of unsaturated fatty acids using GC–FTIR–MS

Identification of cis/trans isomers of unsaturated fatty acids cannot usually be achieved by GC-MS (gas chromatography-mass spectrometry) without reference substances. In this study a GC-FTIR-MS system (gas chromatography-Fourier transform-mass spectrometry) was used to identify fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) and differentiate between the cis/trans isomers. Besides methyl esters, 2-alkenyl-4,4-dimethyloxazoline derivatives (DMOX), which have been used to locate double bond positions of unsaturated fatty acids, were examined with respect to their suitability for cis/trans differentiation. A combined GC-FTIR-MS system with a wide band (4000–550 cm^?1) mercury cadmium telluride (MCT) detector was used in series and parallel to identify 31 reference unsaturated fatty acids, including 7 pairs of cis/trans isomers. Serum samples of healthy persons and commercially available fish oil were analyzed as examples of complex mixtures. Using splitless injection the detection limit for the less sensitive IR detector was 25 ng/μl in case of the weak cis and trans bands. In the FTIR spectra cis/trans isomers were identified by analysis of bands arising from C? H out-of-plane (oop) bending: for both the FAME and DMOX derivatives cis-1,2-disubstituted double bonds give a strong band near 720 cm^?1 and the corresponding trans isomers near 967 cm^?1. cis Isomers could be identified further by a band at 3012 cm^?1. With the combined data of the GC-FTIR-MS system it is now possible to identify polyunsaturated fatty acids with regard to the discrimination of cis/trans isomers.     

Temperature dependence of equivalent chain length values on capillary columns of different polarity

The influence of temperature and capillary column stationary phase polarity on the equivalent chain length (ECL) values of unsaturated fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) is discussed. Comparisons are made of a bonded, nonpolar methyl silicone, bonded and nonbonded polyethylene glycols, and a highly polar, stabilized cyanosilicone stationary phase. The change in the ECL values over a 20° temperature range is used to demonstrate selectivity shifts and the influence of temperature on the separation of FAMEs on these phases. The effect of the degree of unsaturation of the FAME components, on the various stationary phases is also investigated.     

Complete separation of the geometical isomers of linolenic acid by high performance liquid chromatography with a silver ion column

A method has been developed for separation of linolenic acid and its seven isomers by HPLC on a silver-ion-loaded column. The standard 18:3 isomers, isolated from a heated linseed oil or prepared by isomerization of linolenic acid, were converted into phenacyl esters and detected by UV at 238 nm. The use of low temperature (10 °C) combined with a gradient of dichloromethane and methanol enabled separation of all the cis/trans isomers. The peaks were identified by comparison of ECL values with those of a standard mixture, by chromatographing collected HPLC fractions on a polar GC column. HPLC quantification was compared with GC analysis. There was satisfactory agreement between the tow methods. This method could be used for seperation, collection and quantification of 18:3 fatty acids with trans double bonds in different oils and foods.     

超高效液相色谱法测定生物柴油中的11种脂肪酸及脂肪酸甲酯

建立了采用超高效液相色谱(UPLC)-蒸发光散射检测器(ELSD)测定生物柴油中11种常见的脂肪酸及脂肪酸甲酯含量的方法。这11种常见的脂肪酸及脂肪酸甲酯为豆蔻酸、亚油酸、棕榈酸、油酸、亚麻酸甲酯、硬脂酸、亚油酸甲酯、棕榈酸甲酯、油酸甲酯、芥酸和硬脂酸甲酯。样品经提取后用甲醇溶解,采用Acquity UPLC BEH Phenyl C18柱(100 mm×2.1 mm,1.7 μm)分离,乙腈-水（体积比为3∶1)混合液为流动相进行等度洗脱,采用的ELSD条件为增益80,漂移管温度为45 ℃,载气压力为172 kPa,雾化器为冷却模式,并用外标法进行定量分析。结果表明,在一定的质量浓度范围内,峰面积的对数和质量浓度的对数线性关系良好。与其他检测生物柴油成分的方法相比,该方法简单,分离效果好,速度快,特别是此方法可以同时实现脂肪酸及脂肪酸甲酯的分离,并进行定量分析,能有效测定反应的进行程度,从而满足生物柴油工艺研究的需要。     

Analytical aspects of capillary gas chromatography of lower fatty acids [up to C18]

The principal aspects influencing analytical capillary gas chromatography of fatty acids up to C18 have been evaluated. Selected fundamental problems of interlaboratory exchange of retention data were problems of defined temperature in commercial thermostated air baths, of capillary tubing, and of stationary phases. A modification of commercial thermostats has been proposed in order to secure a defined temperature for glass capillary columns. It has been found that retention data of fatty-acid methyl esters can be measured under standard conditions with the same accuracy as retention data of hydrocarbons on squalane. Metal capillary columns coated with Apiezon L were found to be unsuitable for the analysis of fatty-acid methyl esters when compared with the results of their quantitative analysis in packed Apiezon L and polar capillary columns. Possibilities of a nontraditional statistical evaluation of the results of measurements are suggested. A program in FORTRAN IV language is given for the calculation of Kovats' retention indices for fatty-acid methyl esters.     

Determination of astaxanthin and astaxanthin esters in the microalgae <Emphasis Type="Italic">Haematococcus pluvialis</Emphasis> by LC-(APCI)MS and characterization of predominant carotenoid isomers by NMR spectroscopy

The oily product ZANTHIN® consists of natural astaxanthin, which is manufactured from the microalgae Haematococcus pluvialis by supercritical CO₂ extraction. An HPLC method was developed to separate all of the components of the complex astaxanthin extract using a C₃₀ column. The separation resulted in different isomers of astaxanthin accompanied by two other carotenoids. The main component consisted of astaxanthin singly esterified with several different fatty acids. C18:3, C18:2, C18:1 and C16:0 were identified as the most commonly occurring fatty acids. Doubly esterified astaxanthin was also found, although in lower concentrations compared to singly esterified astaxanthin. After performing a detailed fatty acid analysis by GC-MS, the peaks from the extract were assigned via HPLC-MS. A trans to cis transmutation of the all-trans compound was performed by thermal treatment in order to obtain an enrichment of cis isomers as the basis for unambiguous identification via NMR experiments. The all-trans as well as the 9- and 13-cis isomers of astaxanthin were characterized in detail by UV/Vis, ¹H, and ¹H,¹H COSY NMR spectroscopy.     

Evaluation of New Stationary Phases for the Separation of Fatty Acid Methyl Esters

In the analysis of fatty acids, one of the most commonly used tools is a GC separation of the fatty acid methyl esters (FAME). Many researchers perform this separation using a non-polar phase such the ubiquitous 5% phenyl / 95% methyl capillary columns found in most every chromatography laboratory. Numerous laboratories have also turned recently to polar phases such as 70% cyanopropyl columns, as this type of chemistry provides increased selectivity for unsaturated compounds, and thus improved separation of cis/trans and ω³/ω⁶ FAME isomers. Here, a series of columns nominally having 60, 70, 80, and 90% bis-cyanopropyl content have been tested for the separation of FAME isomers. Trends in retention and the influence of increasing phase polarity on effective and fractional chain lengths are highlighted to provide the FAME chromatographer with insight into which of these novel stationary phases might be best suited to their particular application. In addition, the elution temperatures (T_e) of the FAME and linear alkane standards are presented, as this information will be of value to comprehensive two-dimensional multidimensional GC (GC × GC) users who wish to use these columns in the primary dimension separation.     

Phenomenon of dual‐ and single‐retention behaviors of solutes and its validation by computational simulation in linear programmed temperature gas chromatography

The current theory of programmed temperature gas chromatography considers that solutes are focused by the stationary phase at the column head completely and does not explicitly recognize the different effects of initial temperature (T_o) and heating rate (r_T) on the retention time or temperature of a homologue series. In the present study, n‐alkanes, 1‐alkenes, 1‐alkyl alcohols, alkyl benzenes, and fatty acid methyl esters standards were used as model chemicals and were separated on two nonpolar columns, one moderately polar column and one polar column. Effects of T_o and r_T on the retention of nonstationary phase focusing solutes can be explicitly described with isothermal and cubic equation models, respectively. When the solutes were in the stationary phase focusing status, the single‐retention behavior of solutes was observed. It is simple, dependent upon r_T only and can be well described by the cubic equation model that was visualized through four sequential slope analyses. These observed dual‐ and single‐retention behaviors of solutes were validated by various experimental data, physical properties, and computational simulation.     

Comparison of GC stationary phases for the separation of fatty acid methyl esters in biodiesel fuels

The fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) content of biodiesel fuels has traditionally been determined using gas chromatography with a polar stationary phase. In this study, a direct comparison of the separation of FAMEs present in various biodiesel samples on three polar stationary phases and one moderately polar stationary phase (with comparable column dimensions) was performed. Retention on each column was based on solubility in and polarity of the phase. Quantitative metrics describing the resolution of important FAME pairs indicate high resolution on all polar columns, yet the best resolution, particularly of geometric isomers, is achieved on the cyanopropyl column. In addition, the separation of four C18 monounsaturated isomers was optimized and the elution order determined on each column. FAME composition of various biodiesel fuel types was determined on each column to illustrate (1) chemical differences in biodiesels produced from different feedstocks and (2) chemical similarities in biodiesels of the same feedstock type produced in different locations and harvest seasons.     

Standard equivalent chain length values of monoenic and polyenic (methylene interrupted) fatty acids

The equivalent chain length (ECL) values of the methyl esters of 83 defined fatty acids (FAs) have been determined by gas chromatog-raphy (GC) on three fused silica DB-WAX and three DB-1 columns. ECL values of further 46 FAs were calculated by different methods. Conditions of chromatography, methods of ECL values calculation and differences between ECL values on individual columns and between trans- and cis-isomers of corresponding FAs are also discussed.     

The first total synthesis of the (±)-17-methyl-trans-4,5-methyleneoctadecanoic acid and related analogs with antileishmanial activity

The first total synthesis of the marine cyclopropane fatty acid (±)-17-methyl-trans-4,5-methyleneoctadecanoic acid was accomplished in eight steps and in 9.1% overall yield starting from 1-bromo-12-methyltridecane. The cis analog (±)-17-methyl-cis-4,5-methyleneoctadecanoic acid was also synthesized but in seven steps and in 16.4% overall yield. With the two isomeric cyclopropane fatty acids at hand it was possible to unequivocally corroborate the trans relative configuration of the naturally occurring fatty acid by gas chromatographic co-elution of the corresponding methyl esters. The cis isomer was cytotoxic to Leishmania donovani promastigotes with an IC₅₀ of 300.2 ± 4.2 μM.