Rapid quantitation of fish oil fatty acids and their ethyl esters by FT-NIR models

Discrimination between the Triglyceride Form and the Ethyl Ester Form of Fish Oil Using Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry

Although the triglyceride form is the natural form of fish oil found in fish, the ethyl ester form of fish oil, which is used during processing to save costs, is also present on the market. In this study, fatty acids and lipids were determined using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography-linear ion trap mass spectrometry (LC-LIT/MS), respectively, according to developed methods. The identification of fatty acids was based on the mass spectral characteristics and equivalent chain lengths. However, the fatty acid contents of both forms of fish oils are quite similar. The application of the LC-LIT/MS method for the structural characterization of triacylglycerols (TAGs) and the mechanism of LIT/MS fragmentation are also discussed. Neutral losses of CH2=CH2 (m/z 28) and CH3CH2OH (m/z 46), which are LIT/MS characteristics of ethyl ester from fish oil, were found for the first time. The triglyceride form of fish oils was easily and accurately identified using fingerprint chromatography. In conclusion, lipid analysis combined with LC-LIT/MS showed an improved capability to distinguish between types of fish oil.

Modeling the structure and infrared spectra of omega-3 fatty acid esters

Omega-3 dietary supplements provide a rich source of the active moieties eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), which exist in the form of triacylglycerols or ethyl esters. Infrared (IR) spectroscopy provides a rapid and quantitative tool to assess the quality of these products as specific normal modes, in particular the ester carbonyl stretch modes, exhibit characteristic spectral features for the two ester forms of omega-3 fatty acids. To uncover the origin of the observed spectra, in this work, we perform molecular dynamics simulations of EPA and DHA ethyl esters and triacylglycerols to characterize their conformation, packing, and dynamics in the liquid phase and use a mixed quantum/classical approach to calculate their IR absorption spectra in the ester carbonyl stretch region. We show that the ester liquids exhibit slow dynamics in spectral diffusion and translational and rotational motion, consistent with the diffusion ordered NMR spectroscopy measurements. We further demonstrate that the predicted IR spectra are in good agreement with experiments and reveal how a competition between intermolecular and intramolecular interactions gives rise to distinct absorption peaks for the fatty acid esters.

Determination of Moisture in Olive Oil: Rapid FT-NIR Spectroscopic Procedure Based on the Karl-Fischer Reference Method

According to CODEX, moisture and volatile matter are olive oil quality parameters and the development of a rapid screening method for the determination of moisture is of interest. We recently demonstrated for the first time that the weak near-infrared (NIR) band near 5260 cm^-1 is primarily attributed to a water O-H combination band. To determine the intensity of this band, we measured the peak-to-peak (p-p) height of its first derivative and generated exponential calibration curves for p-p height versus gravimetrically determined concentrations of spiked water in olive oils that had been purged of their initial moisture contents. To further optimize this univariate calibration method, calibration curves were generated in the present study based on plotting the moisture band first derivative p-p heights for neat olive oils (that were neither purged nor spiked) versus the moisture concentrations obtained by the Karl-Fischer (KF) primary reference method. To enhance the speed of FT-NIR data collection, measurements were carried in the transmission mode using disposable glass tubes. We also developed and compared a multivariate partial least squares approach to the univariate one. All the spectra were collected in two separate laboratories using two FT-NIR spectrometers of the same brand and model and no significant difference (p > 0.05) was found between the two laboratory determinations and the KF reference values at a 95% confidence interval. High accuracies were found with the two FT-NIR instruments used, as indicated by the low root mean squared error (RMSE, %) for predicted values obtained with the univariate procedure (RMSE = 0.008% and 0.010%) and the multivariate one, which yielded an even lower value (RMSE= 0.007% for both instruments). These results suggest that, once validated, the FT-NIR approach could potentially be a rapid substitute for the KF method.

Recent advances in rapid and nondestructive determination of fat content and fatty acids composition of muscle foods

Conventional methods for determining fat content and fatty acids (FAs) composition are generally based on the solvent extraction and gas chromatography techniques, respectively, which are time consuming, laborious, destructive to samples and require use of hazard solvents. These disadvantages make them impossible for large-scale detection or being applied to the production line of meat factories. In this context, the great necessity of developing rapid and nondestructive techniques for fat and FAs analyses has been highlighted. Measurement techniques based on near-infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance and hyperspectral imaging have provided interesting and promising results for fat and FAs prediction in varieties of foods. Thus, the goal of this article is to give an overview of the current research progress in application of the four important techniques for fat and FAs analyses of muscle foods, which consist of pork, beef, lamb, chicken meat, fish and fish oil. The measurement techniques are described in terms of their working principles, features, and application advantages. Research advances for these techniques for specific food are summarized in detail and the factors influencing their modeling results are discussed. Perspectives on the current situation, future trends and challenges associated with the measurement techniques are also discussed.

Raman Spectroscopy of Fish Oil Capsules: Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Quantitation Plus Detection of Ethyl Esters and Oxidation

Fish oils are the primary dietary source of ω-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), but these compounds are prone to oxidation, and commercial fish oil supplements sometimes contain less PUFA than claimed. These supplements are predominantly sold in softgel capsules. In this work, we show that Fourier transform (FT)-Raman spectra of fish oils (n = 5) and ω-3 PUFA concentrates (n = 6) can be acquired directly through intact softgel (gelatin) capsules. These spectra could be used to rapidly distinguish supplements containing ethyl esters from those containing triacylglyceride oils. Raman spectroscopy calibrated with partial least-squares regression against traditional fatty acid methyl ester analyses by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry could be used to rapidly and nondestructively quantitate PUFA and other fatty acid classes directly though capsules. We also show that FT-Raman spectroscopy can noninvasively detect oxidation with high sensitivity. Oils with peroxide values of as low as 10 mequiv kg^-1, which are on the cusp of falling outside of specification, could be readily distinguished from oils that were within specification (7 mequiv kg^-1).

Rapid Prediction of Fatty Acid Content in Marine Oil Omega-3 Dietary Supplements Using a Portable Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Device and Partial Least-Squares Regression (PLSR) Analysis

Using a portable field device, a Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and partial least-squares regression (PLSR) method was developed for the rapid (<5 min) prediction of major and minor fatty acid (FA) concentrations in marine oil omega-3 dietary supplements. Calibration models were developed with 174 gravimetrically prepared samples. These models were tested using an independent validation set of dietary supplements. FAs analyzed included eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA); the sums of saturated, branched-chain, and monounsaturated FAs; and n-6, n-4, n-3, n-1, and trans polyunsaturated FA. The spectral ranges 650-1500 or 650-1500 and 2800-3050 cm^-1 provided reliable predictions for FA components in 34 neat oil products: standard error of prediction, 0.73-1.58%; residual predictive deviation, 6.41-12.6. This simple, nondestructive quantitative method is a rapid screening tool and a time and cost-saving alternative to gas chromatography for verifying label declarations and in quality control.

Novel, Rapid Identification, and Quantification of Adulterants in Extra Virgin Olive Oil Using Near-Infrared Spectroscopy and Chemometrics

A new, rapid Fourier transform near infrared (FT-NIR) spectroscopic procedure is described to screen for the authenticity of extra virgin olive oils (EVOO) and to determine the kind and amount of an adulterant in EVOO. To screen EVOO, a partial least squares (PLS1) calibration model was developed to estimate a newly created FT-NIR index based mainly on the relative intensities of two unique carbonyl overtone absorptions in the FT-NIR spectra of EVOO and other mixtures attributed to volatile (5280 cm(-1)) and non-volatile (5180 cm(-1)) components. Spectra were also used to predict the fatty acid (FA) composition of EVOO or samples spiked with an adulterant using previously developed PLS1 calibration models. Some adulterated mixtures could be identified provided the FA profile was sufficiently different from those of EVOO. To identify the type and determine the quantity of an adulterant, gravimetric mixtures were prepared by spiking EVOO with different concentrations of each adulterant. Based on FT-NIR spectra, four PLS1 calibration models were developed for four specific groups of adulterants, each with a characteristic FA composition. Using these different PLS1 calibration models for prediction, plots of predicted vs. gravimetric concentrations of an adulterant in EVOO yielded linear regression functions with four unique sets of slopes, one for each group of adulterants. Four corresponding slope rules were defined that allowed for the determination of the nature and concentration of an adulterant in EVOO products by applying these four calibration models. The standard addition technique was used for confirmation.

Determination of omega-3 fatty acids in fish oil supplements using vibrational spectroscopy and chemometric methods

The potential of Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR), near-infrared (NIR), and Raman spectroscopic techniques combined with partial least squares (PLS) regression (PLSR) to predict concentrations of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and total omega-3 fatty acids (n-3 FAs) in fish oil supplements was investigated. FT-IR spectroscopy predicted EPA (coefficient of determination (R(2)) of 0.994, standard error of cross-validation (SECV) of 2.90%, and standard error of prediction (SEP) of 2.49%) and DHA (R(2) = 0.983, SECV = 2.89%, and SEP = 2.55%) with six to seven PLS factors, whereas a simpler PLS model with two factors was obtained for total n-3 FAs (R(2) = 0.985, SECV = 2.73%, and SEP = 2.75%). Selected regions in the NIR spectra gave models with good performances and predicted EPA (R(2) = 0.979, SECV = 2.43%, and SEP = 3.11%) and DHA (R(2) = 0.972, SECV = 2.34%, and SEP = 2.60%) with four to six PLS factors. Both the whole and selected NIR regions gave simple models (two PLS factors) with similar results (R(2) = 0.997, SECV = 2.18%, and SEP = 1.60%) for total n-3 FAs. The whole and selected regions of Raman spectra provided models with comparable results and predicted EPA (R(2) = 0.977, SECV = 3.18%, and SEP = 2.73%) and DHA (R(2) = 0.966, SECV = 3.31%, and SEP = 2.56%) with seven to eight PLS factors, whereas a simpler model (three PLS factors) with R(2) = 0.993, SECV = 2.82%, and SEP = 3.27% was obtained for total n-3 FAs. The results demonstrated that FT-IR, NIR, and Raman spectroscopy combined with PLSR can be used as simple, fast, and nondestructive methods for quantitative analysis of EPA, DHA, and total n-3 FAs. FT-IR and NIR spectroscopy, in particular, have the potential to be applied in process industries during production of fish oil supplements.

Content and composition of fatty acids in marine oil omega-3 supplements

Marine oil omega-3 supplements are among the most frequently consumed dietary supplements in the United States. However, few studies have evaluated the overall fatty acid composition of these products. We investigated the content and composition of fatty acids in 46 commercially available marine oil omega-3 supplements by gas chromatography with flame ionization detection using the 200 m SLB-IL111 ionic liquid column. Seventy-three fatty acid isomers were quantified, including n-6, n-4, n-3, and n-1 polyunsaturated fatty acids and trans isomers of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA; C20:5n-3) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA; C22:6n-3), the chromatographic separations of which we report for the first time on the 200 m SLB-IL111 column. Contents of EPA and DHA met their respective label declarations in more than 80% of the products examined. Eleven of the products (24%) carried the Food and Drug Administration's qualified health claim for EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids.

Development of botanical and fish oil standard reference materials for fatty acids

As part of a collaboration with the National Institutes of Health's Office of Dietary Supplements and the Food and Drug Administration's Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, the National Institute of Standards and Technology has developed Standard Reference Material (SRM) 3274 Botanical Oils Containing Omega-3 and Omega-6 Fatty Acids and SRM 3275 Omega-3 and Omega-6 Fatty Acids in Fish Oil. SRM 3274 consists of one ampoule of each of four seed oils (3274-1 Borage (Borago officinalis), 3274-2 Evening Primrose (Oenothera biennis), 3274-3 Flax (Linium usitatissimum), and 3274-4 Perilla (Perilla frutescens)), and SRM 3275 consists of two ampoules of each of three fish oils (3275-1 a concentrate high in docosahexaenoic acid, 3275-2 an anchovy oil high in docosahexaenoic acid and eicosapentaenoic acid, and 3275-3 a concentrate containing 60% long-chain omega-3 fatty acids). Each oil has certified and reference mass fraction values for up to 20 fatty acids. The fatty acid mass fraction values are based on results from analyses using gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC-FID) and mass spectrometry (GC/MS). These SRMs will complement other reference materials currently available with mass fractions for similar analytes and are part of a series of SRMs being developed for dietary supplements.

Application of Fourier transform near-infrared spectroscopy to optimization of green tea steaming process conditions

In this study, we constructed prediction models by metabolic fingerprinting of fresh green tea leaves using Fourier transform near-infrared (FT-NIR) spectroscopy and partial least squares (PLS) regression analysis to objectively optimize of the steaming process conditions in green tea manufacture. The steaming process is the most important step for manufacturing high quality green tea products. However, the parameter setting of the steamer is currently determined subjectively by the manufacturer. Therefore, a simple and robust system that can be used to objectively set the steaming process parameters is necessary. We focused on FT-NIR spectroscopy because of its simple operation, quick measurement, and low running costs. After removal of noise in the spectral data by principal component analysis (PCA), PLS regression analysis was performed using spectral information as independent variables, and the steaming parameters set by experienced manufacturers as dependent variables. The prediction models were successfully constructed with satisfactory accuracy. Moreover, the results of the demonstrated experiment suggested that the green tea steaming process parameters could be predicted on a larger manufacturing scale. This technique will contribute to improvement of the quality and productivity of green tea because it can objectively optimize the complicated green tea steaming process and will be suitable for practical use in green tea manufacture.