Optimization of the selectivity of a cyanopropyl stationary phase for the gas chromatographic analysis of trans fatty acids

TOCSY, hydrogen decoupling and computational calculations to an unequivocal structural elucidation of a new sesquiterpene derivative and identification of other constituents from Praxelis sanctopaulensis

INTRODUCTION

Praxelis genus comprises 24 species, however, only two species of this genus have been chemically investigated. Here we investigated Praxelis sanctopaulensis, a native plant from Brazil, that occurs mainly in Cerrado regions.

OBJECTIVE

The goal was to identify the specialised metabolites from P. sanctopaulensis, and compare with those described from Praxelis and Chromolaena species.

METHODS

The phytochemical study of P. sanctopaulensis was performed through different chromatography techniques, including high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), gas chromatography flame ionisation detector (GC-FID), and ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography high-resolution tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-HRMS/MS). The structures of the compounds were established based on spectroscopic analysis, total correlated spectroscopy (TOCSY), hydrogen decoupling and computational calculations was used to an unequivocal structural elucidation of a new sesquiterpene. The antioxidant activity was evaluated using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and antimicrobial assay was performed by the microdilution method. Comparison of the flavonoids described P. sanctopaulensis was carried out using principal component analysis.

RESULTS

The phytochemical investigation of P. sanctopaulensis led to the isolation of a pair of diastereomers, praxilone A and praxilone B. Seven known compounds were isolated from this species, another 14 fatty acids were detected in hexane fraction, and 26 compounds were identified from ethyl acetate fraction. All these compounds are being described for the first time in this species, with the exception of viridifloric acid. The ethyl acetate fraction showed potent antioxidant activity.

CONCLUSIONS

Forty-seven compounds are described from P. sanctopaulensis. The combination of different techniques of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy and computational calculations allowed the unequivocal structure elucidation of a new cadinene. The clustering analysis showed similarities between the flavonoids identified in P. sanctopaulensis and in Chromolaena species.

Lipid profile and fatty acid composition of marine fish species from Northeast coast of Brazil

Total lipid content, fatty acid composition and nutritional profile of lipid fraction of fourteen fish species from the Brazilian Northeastern coast were evaluated. Lipid content was determined by Bligh and Dyer methodology, whereas the fatty acid composition was determined by gas chromatography with flame ionization detector. The indices of atherogenicity, thrombogenicity and hypocholesterolemic/hypercholesterolemic ratio were used to evaluate the nutritional quality of lipid fraction. The total lipid content ranged from 0.25 to 3.09%, with higher values in L. synagris. A significant difference (p < 0.05) were noted in fatty acids composition between the fourteen fish species. PUFA were the major fatty acids in twelve of fourteen species and C. leiarchus showed the highest content. The n-3 content ranged from 69.83 to 270.62 mg g^-1 of total lipids, being EPA and DHA the major fatty acids in most of the species studied. The species L. synagris, M. bonaci and S. brasiliensis exceeded the WHO daily intake recommendation of 250 mg per day from those fatty acids. The quality indexes of the lipid fraction as well as the n-6/n-3 and PUFA/SFA ratios indicated that all fish species can be healthy nutritional options, and can bring many benefits to human health. The principal component analysis resulted in a two-principal-component model that described 79.78% of data variance. Also, it highlighted that despite the differences between the breeding strategies of fish families, the species could be grouped according to their similarity in fatty acids composition.

Effects of Flaxseed Oil and Vitamin E Supplementation on Digestibility and Milk Fatty Composition and Antioxidant Capacity in Water Buffaloes

Simple Summary

Flaxseed oil is rich in n-3 fatty acids, while vitamin E is a potent antioxidant. Both have been tested in dairy cows’ diets to increase n-3 concentration and antioxidant capacity in the milk. However, there is no published research testing flaxseed oil and vitamin E supplementation simultaneously in lactating dairy buffaloes, which can have a different response compared to dairy cows. Increasing milk unsaturated fatty acids while not increasing lipid oxidation is a challenge; however, in this experiment we demonstrated that it is possible to achieve these in buffalo milk by supplementing the diet with flaxseed oil and vitamin E. Flaxseed oil supplementation increased the n-3 fatty acid concentration and oxidation products in the milk, while vitamin E supplementation increased milk’s antioxidant capacity.

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of the supplementation of flaxseed oil and/or vitamin E on dry matter (DM) and nutrient digestibility, milk composition, fatty acid composition, and antioxidant capacity in buffalo milk. Four crossbred female dairy water buffaloes (97 ± 22 days in milk; 6.57 ± 2.2 kg of milk/day, mean ± SD) were distributed in a 4 × 4 Latin square design, with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement (with or without flaxseed oil at 25 g/kg dry matter; with or without vitamin E at 375 IU/kg dry matter). The experimental period was divided into four periods of 21 days each (16 days for adaptation; five days for data collection). There were four treatments: control diet (no flaxseed oil and no added vitamin E); flaxseed oil diet (flaxseed oil at 25 g/kg DM); vitamin E diet (vitamin E at 375 IU/kg DM), and a combination of both flaxseed oil and vitamin E. The animals were fed total mixed ratios. For all response variables, there was no interaction between flaxseed oil and vitamin E. Flaxseed oil supplementation reduced neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) apparent total tract digestibility, increased the n-3 fatty acid concentration in milk approximately three-fold while reducing the n-6/n-3 ratio from 9.3:1 to 2.4:1. Vitamin E supplementation increased NDF apparent total tract digestibility and milk total antioxidant capacity. Although there was no interaction between the treatments; flaxseed oil supplementation in lactating buffaloes increased polyunsaturated fatty acid, while vitamin E supplementation increased antioxidant capacity and decreased oxidation products.

Green chromatography determination of fatty acid methyl esters in biodiesel

This work proposes a green, simple and rapid chromatographic methodology for separation and determination of a group of 13 fatty acids methyl esters (FAMEs) by using a capillary gas chromatography with a flame ionization detector. The method was successfully applied for the determination of FAMEs in biodiesel samples from commercial and waste cooking oils, synthesized by homogeneous catalysis. Detection and quantification limits were in the μg L(-1) level. Direct injection of sample solution was compared with solid-phase extraction and solid-phase microextraction procedures, giving similar results. The lower analysis time represent considerable improvement compared with other papers. The described methodology is especially suitable for process control applications. The samples analysed showed total contents of FAMEs higher than 96.5%, which verifies the European regulations.

Separation behavior of octadecadienoic acid isomers and identification of cis- and trans-isomers using gas chromatography

Using a strongly polar cyanopropyl capillary column we have investigated the gas chromatography (GC) separation behaviors of 24 octadecadienoic acid methyl ester (18:2ME) isomers compared against saturated methyl stearate (18:0ME) and arachidic acid methyl ester (20:0ME), and the dependency on the GC column temperature. The 24 isomers were obtained by performing cis-to trans-isomerization of six regioisomers: five of the 18:2ME isomers were prepared by the partial reduction of methyl α-linolenate and methyl γ-linolenate C18 trienoic acids with different double bond positions, whereas the sixth isomer, 18:2ME (c5, c9), was obtained from a raw constituent fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) sample extracted from Japanese yew seeds. There are no reference standards commercially available for 18:2ME isomers, and in elucidating the elution order of these isomers this study should help the future identification of cis- and trans-type of 18:2ME. We also report the identification method of cis- and trans-type of FAME using equivalent chain lengths and attempt the identification of cis- and trans-type of 18:2ME isomers from partially hydrogenated canola oil.

Evaluation of FT-NIR and ATR-FTIR spectroscopy techniques for determination of minor odd- and branched-chain saturated and trans unsaturated milk fatty acids

Determination of nutritionally important trans MUFA, CLA, and OBCFA milk fatty acids (often present in amounts lower than 1.0 g/100 g of total fat) using fast and nondestructive analytical methods would enhance their use as diagnostic tools in dairy herd and human health management. Here, PLS regression using ATR/FTIR spectra indicated potential for determination of trans-11 C18:1 and trans-12 C18:1 (Rcv² ≥ 0.80), and trans-9 C18:1 in very minor concentration (Rcv² > 0.82), as well as anteiso C15:0 (Rcv² = 0.57) and iso C17:0 (Rcv² = 0.61). Furthermore, the main cis-9,trans-11 CLA isomer was predicted well despite the high trans MUFA concentration. Differentiation between the CLA and the trans MUFA signals was evident (based on specific cis/trans bands), and branched-chain saturated fatty acid methyl esters revealed specific iso and anteiso ATR/FTIR absorbance bands. None of the minor FA PLS results with FT-NIR showed interesting potential, except satisfactory predictions for trans-9 C18:1 and cis-9,trans-11 CLA. Overall, ATR/FTIR resulted in better calibrations and provided more specific information for determination of minor milk fatty acids.

Towards combinatorial spectroscopy: the case of minor milk fatty acids determination

Chemometrical models for determination of milk fatty acids (FA) are typically developed using spectral data from a single spectroscopy technique, e.g., mid-infrared spectroscopy in milk control. Such models perform poorly in determining minor components and are highly dependent on the spectral data source and on the type of matrix. In milk fat, the unsuccessful determination of minor (fatty acids lower than 1.0 g/100g in total fat) FA is often the result of: (1) the molecular structure similarity between the minor and the major FA within the milk fat matrix (thus the chemical signature specific to individual fatty acids has restricted specificity), and (2) the low signal intensity (detection limit) for specific vibrational modes. To overcome these limitations, data from different types of spectroscopy techniques, which brings additional chemical information in relation to the variation of the FA, could be included in the regression models to improve quantification. Here, Fourier transform (FT) Raman spectra were concatenated with attenuated total reflectance FT infrared (ATR/FTIR) spectra. The new combinatorial models showed up to 25% decrease in the root mean squared error of cross-validation (RMSECV) values, accompanied with a higher Rcv(2) for most individual FA or sums of FA groups, as compared to regression models based on Raman only or ATR/FTIR only spectra. In addition, improved models included less PLS components indicating an increased robustness. Interpretation of the most contributing regression coefficients indicated the value of newly combined spectral regions as carriers of specific chemical information. Although requiring additional spectroscopy instrumentation and prolonged acquisition time, this new combinatorial approach can be automated and is sufficient for semi-routine determination of the milk FA profile.

Determining milk isolated and conjugated trans-unsaturated fatty acids using fourier transform Raman spectroscopy

The feasibility of Raman spectroscopy in combination with partial least-squares (PLS) regression for the determination of individual or grouped trans-monounsaturated fatty acids (trans-MUFA) and conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) in milk fat is demonstrated using spectra obtained at two temperature conditions: room temperature and after freezing at -80 °C. The PLS results displayed capability for direct semiroutine quantification of several individual CLA (cis-9,trans-11 and trans-10,cis-12 C18:2) and trans-MUFA (trans-4-15 C18:1) in minor concentrations (below 1.0 g/100 g of milk fat). Calibration models were based on reference data cross-correlation or determined by specific scattering signals in the Raman spectra. Distinct bands for trans-MUFA (1674 cm(-1)) and CLA (1653 cm(-1)) from the trans isolated and cis,trans conjugated C ═ C bonds were identified, as well as original evidence for the temperature effect (new bands, peak shifts, and higher intensities) on the Raman spectra of fatty acid methyl ester and triacylglyceride standards, are supplied.

Trans fatty acid analyses in samples of marine origin: the risk of false positives

At conditions commonly applied for trans fatty analyses by gas chromatography, fatty acids naturally occurring in marine lipids may overlap chromatographically with C16 and C18 trans fatty acids and lead to false positives. Elution patterns were studied by tracking retention indices at shifting temperature conditions on two cyanopropyl-coated capillary columns. Most overlaps can be avoided by selecting the right chromatographic conditions, but it was not possible to find a single condition that eliminates the risk of overlap between trans fatty acids and interferents. In total, 17 compounds were identified as potential interferents, and the amounts of these compounds were quantified in various samples of marine origin. The interferents that will most likely contribute to incorrect assessments of trans fatty acids in marine lipids are probably 18:3 n-4 and 18:1 n-11.

Analysis of milk odd- and branched-chain fatty acids using Fourier transform (FT)-Raman spectroscopy

Fourier transform (FT)-Raman spectra of pure C13:0, C15:0, C17:0, iso C14:0, iso C15:0, and ante C15:0 fatty acid methyl ester standards (FAMESs) and 75 milk fat samples from 6 different dietary experiments were acquired at room temperature (RT) and immediately after freezing at -80 °C (FT). The latter generally included much more well-defined and sharper scattering bands than those obtained at RT. Further, the spectra at FT revealed additional acuate bands in the vicinity of peculiar wavenumber regions, as well as an increase of Raman scattering intensity, which was sometimes associated with a shift of the peak. Partial least-squares (PLS) regression models based on either selected regions or the full spectra and using two pretreatment methods [multiplicative scatter correction (MSC, using raw spectra of milk fat only) and modified MSC (MMSC, a combination of pure FAMESs and milk fat spectra)] with cross-validation were used to evaluate the different types of milk fat FT-Raman spectra for the predictions of individual odd- and branched-chain fatty acids (OBCFAs) and their sums. In general, most individual (C15:0, ante C15:0, iso C17:0, and ante C17:0) and grouped (ODD, ANTE, and total OBCFAs) fatty acids were favorably (coefficient of determination, R(2) > 0.65) predicted using models with FT spectra only or a combination of RT and FT spectra (RFT), when compared to models with spectra analyzed at RT only. The results indicate the interest to use FT-Raman spectra collected at different temperatures for the prediction of narrow concentrations of saturated OBCFAs in milk fat.

Recent trends in the advanced analysis of bioactive fatty acids

The consumption of dietary fats have been long associated to chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, cancer, arthritis, asthma, and cardiovascular disease; although some controversy still exists in the role of dietary fats in human health, certain fats have demonstrated their positive effect in the modulation of abnormal fatty acid and eicosanoid metabolism, both of them associated to chronic diseases. Among the different fats, some fatty acids can be used as functional ingredients such as alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), arachidonic acid (AA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), gamma-linolenic acid (GLA), stearidonic acid (STA) and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), among others. The present review is focused on recent developments in FAs analysis, covering sample preparation methods such as extraction, fractionation and derivatization as well as new advances in chromatographic methods such as GC and HPLC. Special attention is paid to trans fatty acids due its increasing interest for the food industry.