Mass spectrometric identification of triacylglycerols of enzymatically modified butterfat separated on a polarizable phenylmethylsilicone column

Revisión: Aplicación de las técnicas cromatográficas al estudio de triglicéridos y esteroles de la grasa de leche / Review: Application of chromatographic techniques to the study of triglycerides and sterols of milk fat

The latest developments in analytical techniques, mainly chromatographic, for the study of triglycer ides (TG) and sterols in milk fat are revised. Gas chromatography (GC) with packed or short capillary columns has been used to separate TG according to their carbon numbers (CN) and can be applied to the detection of foreign fats in milk fat. Combined or hyphenated chromatographic techniques are indispensable in order to identify and quantify individual molecular species of TG: thin layer chro matography (TLC) or high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with Ag+ as prefraction stage, followed by supercritical fluid chromatography, GC with long capillary column, and HPLC with reverse phase and mass spectrometry as detector. These techniques, along with non-specific and/or specific hydrolysis procedures, have allowed a better knowledge of the positional distribution of the fatty acids within the molecules of TG. Concerning the study of the esterol fraction, the supression of the stages of fat extraction—separation of the insaponifiable and derivatization—previous to the analy sis by GC represents a considerable advance that should be in part attributed to the improvement of the chromatographic techniques.

Quantification of triacylglycerols in butterfat by gas chromatography-electron impact mass spectrometry using molar correction factors for [M-RCOO]+ ions

A quantitative electron impact GC-MS method using molar correction factors (MCFs) for [M-RCOO]+ ions has been developed for determination of molecular species of triacylglycerols (TAGs). MCFs were determined by linear calibration for 226 ions of 104 TAG species with good reproducibility: on the average, coefficient of determination was 0.975 +/- 0.043 and 0.963 +/- 0.115 for saturated and unsaturated TAGs, respectively. The MCFs of the sn-1(3) regioisomers of short-chain TAGs were lower than those of sn-2 isomers indicating ca. 2-3-fold higher cleavage of butyroyl and caproyl groups from the primary positions than from the secondary position. The method enabled quantification of 139 and 135 individual TAG species of butterfat (BF) and interesterified butterfat, respectively, including several regioisomers of short-chain TAGs. The most abundant molecular species of the even-numbered TAGs in BF were butyroylpalmitoyloleoylglycerol (5.05 mol%), butyroyldipalmitoylglycerol (4.75 mol%), and palmitoyldioleoylglycerol (3.32 mol%). The method provides an alternative for elucidation of nutritional and technological properties of relatively saturated TAG mixtures.

Triacylglycerol composition of coffee beans (Coffea canephora P.) by reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatography and positive electrospray tandem mass spectroscopy

The triacylglycerol (TAG) composition of coffee beans (Coffea canephora P.) was determined by reversed phase liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and tandem mass spectrometry. The TAGs were separated on a Microsorb RP C-18 column in series with a Supelcosil RP C-18 column using isocratic elution with acetonitrile/2-propanol/hexane (v/v/v, 57:38:5) as the mobile phase at a flow rate of 1 mL/min for 100 min. Under these conditions, 13 TAGs were identified (elution order): trilinoleyl-glycerol (LLL, 11.76%), dilinolenoyl-palmitoyl-glycerol (PLnLn, 2.94%), dilinoleyl-oleyl-glycerol (OLL, 7.77%), dilinoleyl-palmitoyl-glycerol (PLL, 25.90%), dipalmitoyl-linolenoyl-glycerol (PPLn, 1.66%), dioleoyl-linoleyl-glycerol (OOL, 1.68%), dilinoleyl-stearyl-glycerol (SLL, 8.28%), palmitoyl-oleyl-linoleyl-glycerol (POL, 8.76%), dipalmitoyl-linoleyl-glycerol (PPL, 13.74%), dilinoleyl-arachidyl-glycerol (ALL, 3.51%), trioleoyl-glycerol (OOO, 2.33%), palmitoyl -linoleyl-stearyl -glycerol (PLS, 8.73%), and distearoyl-linolenonyl-glycerol (SSLn, 2.91%). The relative composition (%) was obtained directly from the data system with the photodiode array detector.

Regiospecific determination of short-chain triacylglycerols in butterfat by normal-phase HPLC with on-line electrospray-tandem mass spectrometry

This study uses normal-phase HPLC with on-line positive ion electrospray mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) to obtain quantitative compositional data on both synthetic and butterfat short-chain TAG. The product ion tandem MS of standards averaged 11.1 times lower in abundance of the ion formed by cleavage of FA from the sn-2-position for the pairs of regioisomers in the TAG classes: L/L/S-L/S/L and L/S/S-S/L/S, where L denotes long and S short acyl chain (C2-C6). The molar correction factors, determined for 42 regioisomeric pairs of short-chain TAG of 20 randomized mixture of standards, differed by 1.4-80% as the ratios varied between 0.217 and 5.847. Butterfat TAG were resolved into four fractions on short flash chromatography grade silica gel columns. Pairs of regioisomers in the TAG classes L/S/S-S/L/S with predominance of L/S/S isomers and the sole regioisomers in the TAG classes L/L(M)/S were identified by tandem MS, where M denotes either 8:0 or 10:0 acyl chain. The total proportion of L/L(M)/S isomers was estimated at 34.7 and that of L/S/S-S/L/S at 1.0 mol%, including a small proportion of S/S/S. In contrast to previous work, the present data indicate the presence of a small proportion of butyric and caproic acids in the sn-1-position. The overall distribution of the FA in the short-chain TAG of butterfat, calculated from direct MS measurements, was consistent with the results of indirect determinations based on stereospecific analyses of total butterfat.

Regioisomers of octanoic acid-containing structured triacylglycerols analyzed by tandem mass spectrometry using ammonia negative ion chemical ionization

Tandem mass spectrometry based on ammonia negative ion chemical ionization and sample introduction via direct exposure probe was applied to analysis of regioisomeric structures of octanoic acid containing structured triacylglycerols (TAG) of type MML, MLM, MLL, and LML (M, medium-chain fatty acid; L, long-chain fatty acid). Collision-induced dissociation of deprotonated parent TAG with argon was used to produce daughter ion spectra with appropriate fragmentation patterns for structure determination. Fatty acids constituting the TAG molecule were identified according to [RCO2]- ions in the daughter ion spectra. With the standard curve for ratios of [M-H-RCO2H-100]- ions corresponding to each [RCO2]- ion, determined with known mixtures of sn-1/3 and sn-2 regioisomers of structured TAG, it was possible to determine the proportions of different regioisomers in unknown samples. The method enabled quantification of MML- and MLM-type structured TAG. In the case of MLL- and LML-type TAG, it was possible to determine the most abundant regioisomer in the unknown mixture and estimate the proportions of regioisomers when there were more than 50% MLL-type isomers in the mixture.

Lipase catalyzed modification of milkfat

Decreasing consumption of high fat milk and dairy products is driving the dairy industry to seek other uses for increasing surplus of milkfat. Enzyme catalyzed modification of milkfat using lipases is receiving particular attention. This review examines lipase-mediated modification of milkfat. Especial attention is given to industrial applications of lipases for producing structured and modified milkfat for improved physical properties and digestibility, reduced caloric value, and flavor enhancement. Features associated with reactions such as hydrolysis, transesterification, alcoholysis and acidolysis are presented with emphasis on industrial feasibility, marketability and environmental concerns. Future prospects for enzyme catalyzed modification of milk fat are discussed.

Identification of milk fat triacylglycerols by capillary supercritical fluid chromatography-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry

Identification of milk fat triacylglycerols was accomplished by capillary supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) combined with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry [(APCI)MS]. Supercritical carbon dioxide was the carrier fluid in SFC. Ionization was achieved by introducing vapor of ammonia in methanol into the ionization chamber which resulted in the formation of abundant [M + 18]+ and [M - RCCO]+ ions of triaclyglycerols. These ions defined both the molecular weight and the fatty acid constituents of a triacylglycerol, respectively. SFC on a nonpolar stationary phase provided an efficient separation of triacylglycerols according to the combined number of carbon atoms in the acyl chains a molecule. In addition to the identification of the major chromatographic peaks representing molecules with 26-54 acyl carbons, minor peaks representing triacylglycerols with an odd number of acyl carbons were separated and identified. Furthermore, compositional information on partially separated isobaric triacylglycerols, which differed substantially in the chain length of the fatty acyl residues, was achieved within some of the peaks. A new finding of the present study was the formation of abundant [M + 18]+ ions of saturated triacylglycerols in addition to diagnostic fragment ions,being of primary importance in structure elucidation. This extends the applicability of capillary SFC-(APCI)MS in the analysis of both saturated and unsaturated triacylglycerols.

Postparturition changes in the triacylglycerols of cow colostrum

The changes in the triacylglycerol (TAG) composition of colostrum fat of three cows were studied. In addition to the determination of fatty acid composition by gas chromatography, the distribution of TAG according to the acyl carbon number (ACN) and molecular weight was analyzed utilizing both supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) and ammonia negative-ion chemical ionization mass spectrometry (MS). Colostrum TG contained substantially less stearic and oleic acids and more myristic and palmitic acids than the normal Finnish milk fat. The major trends in the changes of fatty acids and TAG were similar for each cow, although clear differences between individuals were found. During the first week of parturition, the proportions of short-chain fatty acids (C4-C10) typically increased as well as those of stearic and oleic acids, whereas the relative amounts of C12-C16 acids decreased, especially those of myristic and palmitic acids. Distinct changes occurred also in TAG distributions: the proportions of molecules with ACN 38-40 increased and those with ACN 44-48 decreased. Although there were distinct differences between individuals shortly after delivery, both the fatty acid compositions and TAG distributions of the milk samples of the cows started to resemble each other after one week. The theoretical profiles of colostrum TAG calculated based on the fatty acid compositions differed clearly from the ACN distributions analyzed by SFC and MS. Thus, the analysis of TAG is essential, because the changes in molecular species composition of colostrum TAG cannot be estimated according to the fatty acid analysis alone.

Bioreactors with immobilized lipases: state of the art

This review attempts to provide an updated compilation of studies reported in the literature pertaining to reactors containing lipases in immobilized forms, in a way that helps the reader direct a bibliographic search and develop an integrated perspective of the subject. Highlights are given to industrial applications of lipases (including control and economic considerations), as well as to methods of immobilization and configurations of reactors in which lipases are used. Features associated with immobilized lipase kinetics such as enzyme activities, adsorption properties, optimum operating conditions, and estimates of the lumped parameters in classical kinetic formulations (Michaelis-Menten model for enzyme action and first-order model for enzyme decay) are presented in the text in a systematic tabular form.

Determination of positional distribution of butyryl groups in milkfat triacylglycerols, triacylglycerol mixtures, and isolated positional isomers of triacylglycerols by gas chromatography and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy

Positional isomers (1-butyryl-2X-3Y-rac-glycerol and 2-butyryl-1X-3Y-rac-glycerol; X,Y = long-chain acyls) of saturated triacylglycerols (TAG) within 34 and 40 acyl carbons were shown to separate in two chromatographic peaks on immobilized phenyl(65%)methylsilicone column by gas-liquid chromatography, and on reversed-phase ODS-1 column by high-performance liquid chromatography. The analysis of 500-MHz 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra showed distinct differences between 2-butyryl-1X-3Y-rac-glycerol and 1-butyryl-2X-3Y-rac-glycerol isomers in the resonance signals of methylene and methine protons of glycerol backbone, and carbon-2 methylene of acyl groups, and methyl protons of butyryl group. The 1H NMR spectra of three interesterified mixtures of three monacid TAG containing saturated butyrate and caproate TAG and unsaturated butyrate TAG showed that triplets of methyl protons of butyryl groups at sn-1(3)- and sn-2-positions in saturated and unsaturated TAG had similar chemical shifts and that the chemical shift of caproyl methyl protons was different from those of butyryl methyl protons. The positional distribution of butyryl groups in isolated positional isomers of butyrate TAG, interesterified TAG mixtures, and natural and interesterified butteroil can be determined by integration of these signals.

General strategies in chromatographic analysis of lipids

Lipid extracts of natural sources contain a large number of lipid classes and molecular species. Completely reproducible samples are obtained only with great care and skill. Analytical methods other than chromatography and/or mass spectrometry are of little use for resolution and identification of lipid molecules even in simple mixtures. The analytical information desired governs the selection of the chromatographic and mass spectrometric method, which determine the sample preparation and derivative needed. Usually a combination of chromatographic methods is necessary to identify specific species of lipids. The recent development of soft ionization techniques, that are readily interfaced with mass spectrometers, have greatly simplified the sample preparation and have largely eliminated the need for derivatization. Because these techniques require expensive equipment and dedicated operators, the methods selected must be consistent with the true analytical needs and the available resources. Although personal preference cannot be eliminated entirely, the general strategies outlined below should help to reduce the number of possibilities facing a lipid analyst to a few practical choices.