Convenient preparation of picolinyl derivatives from fatty acid esters

Abstract

It is essential to have simple rapid methods for the determination of fatty acid structures. Traditionally, fatty acids are analysed by gas chromatography using their methyl ester derivatives (FAME). However, their corresponding mass spectra exhibit molecular ions but are usually devoid of ions indicative of structural features and, notably, the position of double bounds on the aliphatic chains [1]. In the most useful approach to structure determination, the carboxyl group is derivatised with a reagent containing a nitrogen atom. Recently, a convenient method for preparing picolinyl esters from intact lipids has been published [2]. However, some problems occurred in our laboratory when this method was used, leading to some modifications and optimisation. Thus, hexane and water have been added while sodium bicarbonate has been removed in order to lower contamination. Temperature and length of the reaction have then been optimised in order to get 100% derivatisation for different kinds of lipids (45 °C and 45 min for FAME). Finally, a comparison of the response factors has confirmed the better sensitivity of the picolinyl derivative against FAME (five times more).