Lipids 1996-05-01

An improved method for rapid analysis of the fatty acids of glycerolipids.

K Ichihara, A Shibahara, K Yamamoto, T Nakayama

Index: Lipids 31(5) , 535-9, (1996)

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Abstract

An improved rapid procedure to determine the fatty acid composition of glycerolipids is described. The procedure includes KOH-catalyzed transesterification and high-speed gas chromatography. Glycerolipids (20-40 mg) were mixed with 2 mL of hexane and 0.2 mL of 2 M methanolic KOH at room temperature for 1-2 min. The fatty acid methyl esters in the hexane layer were analyzed by gas chromatography on 10% SP-2340 at 240 degrees C. Methyl linolenate and docosahexaenoate eluted within 2 and 5 min, respectively. Analysis was thus completed within 5 min for common vegetable oils and 8 min for fish oils.