Orthogonality of silver-ion and non-aqueous reversed-phase HPLC/MS in the analysis of complex natural mixtures of triacylglycerols

Detection and analysis of triacylglycerol regioisomers via electron activated dissociation (EAD) tandem mass spectrometry

Triacylglycerols (TGs) are important components of human diet. The positional distribution of fatty acids (FAs) on the glycerol backbone affects the chemistry and physical properties of fats. Especially for infants, the structure of TGs plays an important role in the growth and development. However, limited by detecting technology, accurately identifying regioisomers of ABA/AAB and BAC/ABC/ACB type TGs is a significant challenge for human milk utilization and the development of infant formula. For this, we exploit a novel method for identifying the regioisomers of ABA/AAB and BAC/ABC/ACB type TGs within complex lipid mixtures, via used electron activated dissociation (EAD) tandem mass spectrometry. The distribution information of acyl chains at the sn-2 and sn-1/3 positions of glycerol backbone and double bonds in unsaturated FAs can be easily obtained by fragmenting TG ions with energetic electrons (15 eV). Then, the standard curve was established by correlating the peak area intensity of sn-2 characteristic product ion with the content of TG regioisomers standard. These analytical methods successfully enabled the identification and quantification of TG regioisomers in human milk, cow milk, infant formula, palm oil, and sunflower oil. Additionally, the distribution of the double-bond positions of unsaturated FAs in these samples was also identified. Compared to traditional methods, this approach eliminates the need for complex processing and analysis procedures, enabling rapid structural characterization of ABA/AAB and BAC/ABC/ACB type TGs within 17 min. Hence, we provide a rapid and convenient methodology for detecting and analyzing ABA/AAB and BAC/ABC/ACB type TG regioisomers, thereby offering valuable assistance in the development of specialized formulations and facilitating effective process control for ensuring the quality of edible oils and fats.

Triacylglycerol regioisomers containing palmitic acid analyzed by ultra-performance supercritical fluid chromatography and quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry: Comparison of standard curve calibration and calculation equation

Triacylglycerol (TAG) regioisomers containing palmitic acid (16:0) was identified using ultra-performance supercritical fluid chromatography and quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPSFC-Q-TOF-MS) and quantified using calibration curve method and calculation equation method. There were negative linear correlation between [R_A-A]⁺/[R_A-A]⁺+[R_A-B]⁺ and content of sn-A-B-A (%) for AAB/ABA type TAGs, [R_{sn-1 FA-sn-3 FA}]⁺/[R_B-C]⁺+[R_A-C]⁺+[R_A-B]⁺ and content of fatty acid (FA) at sn-2 position (%) for BAC/ABC/ACB type TAGs. The difference between calculation equation and standard curve method was acceptable. The TAG regioisomers in human milk, mammalian milk, lard and fish oil were identified and quantified using the developed methods. This study provided a reliable and facile method for analysis of the TAG regioisomers, which was capable of the selection of oil materials for infant formula production.

A versatile method to separate complex lipid mixtures using 1-butanol as eluent in a reverse-phase UHPLC-ESI-MS system

Simple, robust and versatile LC-MS based methods add to the rapid assessment of the lipidome of biological cells. Here we present a versatile RP-UHPLC-MS method using 1-butanol as the eluent, specifically designed to separate different highly hydrophobic lipids. This method is capable of separating different lipid classes of glycerophospholipid standards, in addition to phospholipids of the same class with a different acyl chain composition. The versatility of this method was demonstrated through analysis of lipid extracts of the bacterium Escherichia coli and the archaeon Sulfolobus acidocaldarius. In contrast to 2-propanol-based methods, the 1-butanol-based mobile phase is capable of eluting highly hydrophobic analytes such as cardiolipins, tetraether lipids and mycolic acids during the gradient instead of the isocratic purge phase, resulting in an enhanced separation of cardiolipins and extending the analytical range for RPLC.

Pattern-Type Separation of Triacylglycerols by Silver Thiolate×Non-Aqueous Reversed Phase Comprehensive Liquid Chromatography

Triacylglycerols (TAGs), as the main components of edible oils and animal fats, are responsible for the nutritional value, organoleptic features and technological properties of foods; each lipid matrix shows a unique TAG profile which can serve as fingerprint to ensure the quality and authenticity of food products. The high complexity of many foodstuffs often makes untargeted elucidation of TAG components a challenging task; thus, more efficient separation techniques may be mandatory. In this research, the TAG profile of a borage (Borago officinalis) seed oil was obtained by two-dimensional comprehensive liquid chromatography (LC×LC), by the coupling of silver thiolate and octadecylsilica monodisperse materials. A total 94 TAG compounds were identified by ion trap-time of flight detection, using atmospheric pressure ionization, with the degree of unsaturation varying from 0 to 9, and partition values ranging from 36 to 56. The group-type separation afforded by this analytical approach may be useful to quickly fingerprint TAG components of oil samples.

Structural elucidation of triacylglycerol using online acetone Paternò-Büchi reaction coupled with reversed-phase liquid chromatography mass spectrometry

Triacylglycerol (TG) is a class of lipids that is responsible for energy storage and cell metabolism in biological systems; it is found in relatively high abundances in biological fluids such as human plasma. Due to structural complexity, analyzing TGs using shotgun lipidomic approaches is challenging because of the presence of multiple fatty acyl compositional isomers. In this work, reversed-phase liquid chromatography (RPLC) was used for separation of TG species due to the capability of separating lipids based on fatty acyl chain lengths and degrees of unsaturation. RPLC alone does not provide structurally informative information for the location of carbon-carbon double-bonds (C[double bond, length as m-dash]Cs) without using synthesized standards that correspond to each species analyzed. The Paternò-Büchi (PB) reaction was employed online to confidently characterize the location of C[double bond, length as m-dash]Cs within lipid species via photo-initiated modification of the alkene group with acetone, which was later subjected to electrospray ionization (ESI) and tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS) to form signature fragmentation peaks. This online RPLC-PB-MS/MS system was able to distinguish fatty acyl level and C[double bond, length as m-dash]C level isomeric species. The systems allowed for the identification of 46 TG molecular species in human plasma with confident C[double bond, length as m-dash]C location assignment in fatty acyls at a limit of identification of 50 nM.

Evaluation of ultraviolet photodissociation tandem mass spectrometry for the structural assignment of unsaturated fatty acid double bond positional isomers

Fatty acids are a major source of structural diversity within the lipidome due to variations in their acyl chain lengths, branching, and cyclization, as well as the number, position, and stereochemistry of double bonds within their mono- and poly-unsaturated species. Here, the utility of 193 nm UltraViolet PhotoDissociation tandem mass spectrometry (UVPD-MS/MS) has been evaluated for the detailed structural characterization of a series of unsaturated fatty acid lipid species. UVPD-MS/MS of unsaturated fatty acids is shown to yield pairs of unique diagnostic product ions resulting from cleavages adjacent to their C=C double bonds, enabling unambiguous localization of the site(s) of unsaturation within these lipids. The effect of several experimental variables on the observed fragmentation behaviour and UVPD-MS/MS efficiency, including the position and number of double bonds, the effect of conjugated versus non-conjugated double bonds, the number of laser pulses, and the influence of alkali metal cations (Li, Na, K) as the ionizing adducts, has been evaluated. Importantly, the abundance of the diagnostic ions is shown to enable relative quantitation of mixtures of fatty acid isomers across a range of molar ratios. Finally, the practical application of 193 nm UVPD-MS/MS is demonstrated via characterization of changes in the ratios of fatty acid double bond positional isomers in isogenic colorectal cancer cell lines. This study therefore demonstrates the practicality of UVPD-MS/MS for the structural characterization of fatty acid isomers in lipidome analysis workflows.

Research advances based on mass spectrometry for profiling of triacylglycerols in oils and fats and their applications

Vegetable oils and animal fats are dietary source of lipids that play critical and multiple roles in biological function. Triacylglycerols (TAGs) are the principal component of oils and fats with significant difference in profile among different oils and fats. TAG profiling is essential for nutritional evaluation, quality control and assurance of safety in oils and fats. However, analysis of TAGs is a challenging task because of the complicated composition of TAGs and their similar physicochemical properties in oils and fats. The rapid development of mass spectrometry (MS) technology in recent years makes it possible to analyze the composition, content and structure of TAGs in the study of the physical, chemical and nutritional properties of oils, fats and related products. This review described the research advancement based on MS for profiling of TAGs in oil, fat and their applications in food. The application of MS, including direct infusion strategies, and its combination with chromatography, gas chromatography-MS (GC-MS) and liquid chromatography-MS (LC-MS), in the analysis of TAGs were reviewed. The advantages and disadvantages of these analytical methods with relevant applications for TAGs analysis in food were also described.

Characterization and Determination of Interesterification Markers (Triacylglycerol Regioisomers) in Confectionery Oils by Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry

Interesterification is an industrial transformation process aiming to change the physico-chemical properties of vegetable oils by redistributing fatty acid position within the original constituent of the triglycerides. In the confectionery industry, controlling formation degree of positional isomers is important in order to obtain fats with the desired properties. Silver ion HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography) is the analytical technique usually adopted to separate triglycerides (TAGs) having different unsaturation degrees. However, separation of TAG positional isomers is a challenge when the number of double bonds is the same and the only difference is in their position within the triglyceride molecule. The TAG positional isomers involved in the present work have a structural specificity that require a separation method tailored to the needs of confectionery industry. The aim of this work was to obtain a chromatographic resolution that might allow reliable qualitative and quantitative evaluation of TAG positional isomers within reasonably rapid retention times and robust in respect of repeatability and reproducibility. The resulting analytical procedure was applied both to confectionery raw materials and final products.

Triacylglycerols in edible oils: Determination, characterization, quantitation, chemometric approach and evaluation of adulterations

Vegetable oils are a dietary source of lipids that constitute an essential component of a healthy diet. The commonly used vegetable oils differ significantly for their triacylglycerol (TAG) profile. TAGs represent the principal components of oils and may contain different fatty acids (FA) esterified with glycerol leading to several positional isomers. To differentiate individual TAGs species in edible oils, advanced analysis systems and innovative methods are therefore required. TAGs can be considered as good fingerprints for quality control and many studies have been performed to develop rapid and low cost analytical methods to determinate the authenticity, origin and eventually evidence frauds or adulterations. The present manuscript provides a general overview on the most common vegetable oils TAGs compositions and on the related analytical methodologies recently used. Finally, the chemometric applications developed to assess the authenticity, quality and botanical origin of various edible oils are discussed.

Analysis of Processed Foods Containing Oils and Fats by Time of Flight Mass Spectrometry with an APCI Direct Probe

Discriminating vegetable oils and animal and milk fats by infrared absorption spectroscopy is difficult due to similarities in their spectral patterns. Therefore, a rapid and simple method for analyzing vegetable oils, animal fats, and milk fats using TOF/MS with an APCI direct probe ion source was developed. This method enabled discrimination of these oils and fats based on mass spectra and detailed analyses of the ions derived from sterols, even in samples consisting of only a few milligrams. Analyses of the mass spectra of processed foods containing oils and milk fats, such as butter, cheese, and chocolate, enabled confirmation of the raw material origin based on specific ions derived from the oils and fats used to produce the final product.

Regioisomeric and enantiomeric analysis of triacylglycerols

A survey of useful methods for separation and identification of regioisomers and enantiomers of triacylglycerols. Gas chromatography, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, ¹³C NMR determination of regioisomers by enzymatic methods, and supercritical fluid chromatography are briefly surveyed, whereas a detailed description is given of the analysis of triacylglycerols by liquid chromatography, especially with silver ion (Ag⁺; argentation), and nonaqueous reversed phase liquid chromatography. Special attention is paid to chiral chromatography. Details of mass spectrometry of triacylglycerols are also described, especially the identification of important triacylglycerol ions such as [M + H-RCOOH]⁺ in atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectra.

New MALDI matrices based on lithium salts for the analysis of hydrocarbons and wax esters

Lithium salts of organic aromatic acids (lithium benzoate, lithium salicylate, lithium vanillate, lithium 2,5-dimethoxybenzoate, lithium 2,5-dihydroxyterephthalate, lithium α-cyano-4-hydroxycinnamate and lithium sinapate) were synthesized and tested as potential matrices for the matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI)-mass spectrometry analysis of hydrocarbons and wax esters. The analytes were desorbed using nitrogen laser (337.1 nm) and ionized via the attachment of a lithium cation, yielding [M + Li](+) adducts. The sample preparation and the experimental conditions were optimized for each matrix using stearyl behenate and n-triacontane standards. The performance of the new matrices in terms of signal intensity and reproducibility, the mass range occupied by matrix ions and the laser power threshold were studied and compared with a previously recommended lithium 2,5-dihydroxybenzoate matrix (LiDHB) (Cvačka and Svatoš, Rapid Commun. Mass Spectrom. 2003, 17, 2203). Several of the new matrices performed better than LiDHB. Lithium vanillate offered a 2-3 times and 7-9 times higher signal for wax esters and hydrocarbons, respectively. Also, the signal reproducibility improved substantially, making this matrix a suitable candidate for imaging applications. In addition, the diffuse reflectance spectra and solubility of the synthesized compounds were investigated and discussed with respect to the compound's ability to serve as MALDI matrices. The applicability of selected matrices was tested on natural samples of wax esters and hydrocarbons.

Applicability of non-linear versus linear fractional abundance calibration plots for the quantitative determination of triacylglycerol regioisomers by tandem mass spectrometry

RATIONALE

Regioisomeric analysis of triacylglycerols is important in understanding lipid biochemistry and the involvement of lipids in disease and nutrition. The use of calibration plots employing fractional abundances provides a simple and rapid method for such analyses. These plots are believed to be linear, but evidence exists for non-linearity. The behavior of such plots needs to be understood to allow for proper interpretation of regioisomeric data.

METHODS

Solutions of five regioisomer pairs were prepared from pure standards and used to construct calibration plots using triple-stage tandem mass spectrometry (MS(3) ) with electrospray ionization (ESIMS(3) ) and cationization by lithium ions. The data were taken by direct infusion with an AB SCIEX QTRAP 2000 QqLIT mass spectrometer.

RESULTS

Non-linear calibration plots were observed for the four isomer pairs containing the polyunsaturated eicosapentaenoic (20:5) and docosahexaenoic (22:6) acids paired with palmitic acid (16:0) or myristic acid (14:0), while the pair including palmitic and stearic (18:0) acids provided a linear plot. A non-linear model was developed for these plots and then verified experimentally.

CONCLUSIONS

The fractional abundance calibration plots used in regioisomeric analysis of triacylglycerols are intrinsically non-linear, but may appear linear if the scatter in data points obscures the curvature, if the curvature is slight, or if the response factors for the two isomers in the regioisomer pair are similar. Therefore, linearity should not be assumed for these types of measurements until confirmed experimentally.

A method for determining regioisomer abundances of polyunsaturated triacylglycerols in omega-3 enriched fish oils using reversed-phase liquid chromatography and triple-stage mass spectrometry

Reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC), followed by post-column addition of lithium salts and electrospray ionisation triple-stage mass spectrometry (ESI-MS(3)) of lithiated TAG adducts, is shown to provide a useful method for the positional analysis of triacylglycerols (TAGs) in fish oils containing eicosapentaenoic (EPA, 20:5) and docosahexaenoic acids (DHA, 22:6). One prominent fragmentation pathway in the ESI-MS(3) of these adduct ions involves the loss of a fatty acid from the sn-1/3 position in the first step followed by the loss of an α,β-unsaturated fatty acid from the sn-2 position in the second. Regioisomeric TAGs of the type ABA and AAB produced abundant product ions - [ABA+Li-RACOOH-R'BCHCHCOOH](+) and [AAB+Li-RACOOH-R'ACHCHCOOH](+) - the relative intensities of which were dependent on the position of acyl substituents. Standard solutions of TAGs containing different ratios of the regioisomeric pairs MME/MEM, PPE/PEP, PPD/PDP, EEP/EPE and DDP/DPD (M=14:0, P=16:0, E=20:5, D=22:6) were analysed by ESI-MS(3) with a quadrupole linear ion trap instrument. Methodology developed on the standards was applied to quantifying the relative isomeric abundances of EPA and DHA in several fish oil samples. DHA was preferentially located at the sn-2 position in both DHA-containing TAGs studied, while EPA was either observed at near equal levels in all positions, or predominantly at the sn-1 and -3 positions in some cases. The analysis protocol allows for quantification of the designated regioisomers in one simple, rapid chromatographic procedure using a single column and has the advantage of specificity over other methods for the positional analysis of TAGs, since it eliminates interferences associated with co-eluting TAGs of the same molecular weight that yield isobaric diacylglycerol-like product ions.

Characterization of triacylglycerol enantiomers using chiral HPLC/APCI-MS and synthesis of enantiomeric triacylglycerols

In this work, the first systematic characterization of triacylglycerol (TG) enantiomers in real samples using chiral high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry (APCI-MS) is performed. Our chiral HPLC/APCI-MS method is based on the use of two cellulose-tris-(3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamate) columns connected in series using a gradient of hexane-2-propanol mobile phase. All TG enantiomers containing 1-8 DBs and different fatty acyl chain lengths are separated using our chiral HPLC method except for TGs having a combination of saturated and di- or triunsaturated fatty acyls in sn-1 and sn-3 positions. In our work, the randomization reaction of monoacyl TG standards is used for the preparation of all TG enantiomers and regioisomers in a mixture, while the stereospecific esterification of 1,2- or 2,3-isopropylidene-sn-glycerols by selected fatty acids is used for the synthesis of TG enantiomers. The composition of TG enantiomers and regioisomers in hazelnut oil and human plasma samples is determined. Unsaturated fatty acids are preferentially esterified in sn-2 position in hazelnut oil, while no significant preference of saturated or unsaturated fatty acyls is observed in case of human plasma sample. Fatty acids with the higher number of DBs are preferred in sn-1 position of TG enantiomers in hazelnut oil unlike to moderate sn-3 preference in human plasma. The characterization of cholesteryl esters from TG fraction of human plasma sample using our chiral HPLC/APCI-MS method is presented as well.

Mapping the regioisomeric distribution of fatty acids in triacylglycerols by hybrid mass spectrometry

This study describes the use of hybrid mass spectrometry for the mapping, identification, and semi-quantitation of triacylglycerol regioisomers in fats and oils. The identification was performed based on the accurate mass and fragmentation pattern obtained by data-dependent fragmentation. Quantitation was based on the high-resolution ion chromatograms, and relative proportion of sn-1(3)/sn-2 regioisomers was calculated based on generalized fragmentation models and the relative intensities observed in the product ion spectra. The key performance features of the developed method are inter-batch mass accuracy < 1 ppm (n = 10); lower limit of detection (triggering threshold) 0.1 μg/ml (equivalent to 0.2 weight % in oil); lower limit of quantitation 0.2 μg/ml (equivalent to 0.4 weight % in oil); peak area precision 6.5% at 2 μg/ml concentration and 15% at 0.2 μM concentration; inter-batch precision of fragment intensities < 1% (n = 10) independent of the investigated concentration; and averaged accuracy using the generic calibration 3.8% in the 1-10 μg/ml range and varies between 1-23% depending on analytes. Inter-esterified fat, beef tallow, pork lard, and butter fat samples were used to show how well regioisomeric distribution of palmitic acid can be captured by this method.

Aging effects on macadamia nut oil studied by electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry

High-resolution electrospray ionization Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry is successfully used in the detailed molecular analysis of aged macadamia nut oils. The results are consistent with peroxide values, the current industry measure for rancidity, and provide detailed molecular information on the oxidative and hydrolytic degeneration of such oils. Mass analysis of macadamia oil samples stored for extended periods at 6 °C revealed that oils obtained by the cold press method are more susceptible to aging than those obtained using modified Soxhlet or accelerated solvent extraction methods.

Changes in the composition of triacylglycerols in the fat bodies of bumblebee males during their lifetime

The age-dependent changes in the composition of triacylglycerols (TAG) in the fat bodies of bumblebee males were studied using HPLC/MS. Two related species (Bombus terrestris and B. lucorum) were compared, with the age of the males being 0-30 days. The total amount of TAG in B. lucorum was about 2.7 times higher than that in B. terrestris for all of the ages studied. One to three-day-old males had the highest content of TAG in their fat bodies (1.6-2.3 mg/individual in B. terrestris and 3.8-4.2 mg/individual in B. lucorum). The analytical data show different patterns in both species. The qualitative composition of fatty acids in TAG was similar, but the mean relative abundance between B. terrestris and B. lucorum differed: 14:0, 7 and 14%; 16:0, 20 and 44%; 18:3, 62 and 23%; 18:1, 3 and 8%, respectively (the data is based on a GC/MS integration). A statistical evaluation of the dynamic changes in the TAG composition revealed that in B. terrestris different age classes were well separated according to their TAG composition while in B. lucorum the TAG did not change substantially during the male's life. The TAG analyses provide more precise information on the differences between the classes studied than the FA composition alone.

Lipidomic profiling of biological tissues using off-line two-dimensional high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry

Lipids are important components in all biological tissues having many essential roles associated with the proper function of the organism. Their analysis in the biological tissues and body fluids is a challenging task due to the extreme sample complexity of polar lipids and to their amphiphilic character. In this work, we describe a new method for the characterization of the lipid composition in various tissues, using off-line two-dimensional coupling of hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) and reversed-phase (RP) high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionization (ESI) and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) mass spectrometry. In the first dimension the total lipid extracts are fractioned using HILIC into individual lipid classes. In total, 19 lipid classes (+3 regioisomeric pairs) that cover a wide range of polarities are separated in one analytical run, which is the highest number of analyzed lipid classes reported so far. The lysophospholipid regioisomers are also separated in HILIC mode followed by the identification based on the characteristic ESI mass spectra. The collected fractions of the various lipid classes are further separated in the RP mode, which offers an excellent resolution of the individual lipid species. Their ESI or APCI mass spectra give correct information on the fatty acid composition and on the individual regioisomeric positions on the glycerol skeleton. Off-line coupling of both modes enables the comprehensive analysis of plant and animal samples as illustrated on the analysis of egg yolk, soya and porcine brain tissues.

Regioisomeric analysis of triacylglycerols using silver-ion liquid chromatography-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry: comparison of five different mass analyzers

Silver-ion high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled to atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry (APCI-MS) is used for the regioisomeric analysis of triacylglycerols (TGs). Standard mixtures of TG regioisomers are prepared by the randomization reaction from 8 mono-acid TG standards (tripalmitin, tristearin, triarachidin, triolein, trielaidin, trilinolein, trilinolenin and tri-gamma-linolenin). In total, 32 different regioisomeric doublets and 11 triplets are synthesized, separated by silver-ion HPLC using three serial coupled chromatographic columns giving a total length of 75cm. The retention of TGs increases strongly with the double bond (DB) number and slightly for regioisomers having more DBs in sn-1/3 positions. DB positional isomers (linolenic vs. γ-linolenic acids) are also separated and their reverse retention order in two different mobile phases is demonstrated. APCI mass spectra of all separated regioisomers are measured on five different mass spectrometers: single quadrupole LC/MSD (Agilent Technologies), triple quadrupole API 3000 (AB SCIEX), ion trap Esquire 3000 (Bruker Daltonics), quadrupole time-of-flight micrOTOF-Q (Bruker Daltonics) and LTQ Orbitrap XL (Thermo Fisher Scientific). The effect of different types of mass analyzer on the ratio of [M+H-R(i)COOH](+) fragment ions in APCI mass spectra is lower compared to the effect of the number of DBs, their position on the acyl chain and the regiospecific distribution of acyl chains on the glycerol skeleton. Presented data on [M+H-R(i)COOH](+) ratios measured on five different mass analyzers can be used for the direct regioisomeric determination in natural and biological samples.

Comparison of various types of stationary phases in non-aqueous reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry of glycerolipids in blackcurrant oil and its enzymatic hydrolysis mixture

The selection of column packing during the development of high-performance liquid chromatography method is a crucial step to achieve sufficient chromatographic resolution of analyzed species in complex mixtures. Various stationary phases are tested in this paper for the analysis of complex mixture of triacylglycerols (TGs) in blackcurrant oil using non-aqueous reversed-phase (NARP) system with acetonitrile-2-propanol mobile phase. Conventional C(18) column in the total length of 45 cm is used for the separation of TGs according to their equivalent carbon number, the number and positions of double bonds and acyl chain lengths. The separation of TGs and their more polar hydrolysis products after the partial enzymatic hydrolysis of blackcurrant oil in one chromatographic run is achieved using conventional C(18) column. Retention times of TGs are reduced almost 10 times without the loss of the chromatographic resolution using ultra high-performance liquid chromatography with 1.7 microm C(18) particles. The separation in NARP system on C(30) column shows an unusual phenomenon, because the retention order of TGs changes depending on the column temperature, which is reported for the first time. The commercial monolithic column modified with C(18) is used for the fast analysis of TGs to increase the sample throughput but at cost of low resolution.