Quick Analysis On Fatty Acid Profile From Matrix To Chromatogram In 90 minutes, a case study

Abstract

For the last 70 years in food science a lot of techniques have been developed to achieve the best sample preparation methodology and the most efficient chromatographic analysis to clarify the fatty acids profile in different types of matrices, from animal and vegetal sources. To accomplish complex samples as fatty acids with less cost, low time and less interference possible, ancient techniques like soxhlet extraction has been abandoned which makes space to sample preparation techniques like ultrasound extraction and accelerated solvent extraction (ASE). To reach a good resolution in fatty acids profile, gas chromatography is a most acceptable technique used (fatty acids are derivatized into fatty acids methyl esters (FAME)), but type of column, detector and temperature program, and other parameters can vary plenty from researcher to researcher. Based in several tests, we produced a methodology that include sample preparation (ASE1, derivatization process2) to chromatographic analyses (GC-FID) in less than 90 minutes. This methodology allows us to reduce monetary and time cost in analyses of fatty acids profile per sample, and the most relevant achievement is a chromatographic analysis in less than 20 minutes with identification around 40 fatty acids from Lauric acid (C12:0) to Docosahexaenoic acid (C22:6w3, DHA). This was the first step to achieve a more robust methodology, with low time and cost consuming and with clear results.