Determination of Fatty Acid Methyl Esters by GC–Triple Quadrupole MS Using Electron and Chemical Ionization

Abstract

Background: The main objective of this study was to explore the potential use of electron ionization (EI) and chemical ionization (CI) techniques in fatty acid measurement. MS/MS, together with main fragment ions in EI and positive CI of 37 fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs), were investigated using a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer. Results: Our results demonstrated that several diagnostic ions of FAMEs could be confirmed using EI. On the other hand, the characteristic fragmentation patterns and probable pathway of FAMEs could be deduced from the collision-induced dissociation mass spectra when using positive CI. Owing to its capability in using the specific ions of fatty acids for selected ion monitoring and SRM, CI is considered to be more suitable for fatty acid quantitative analysis. Based on these features, a systematic strategy was then developed to integrate these fragments for GC–MS/MS for the determination of fatty acids. Conclusion: This approach offers a rapid and accurate method for measuring a wide spectrum of fatty acids.

Financial & competing interests disclosure

This work was supported by the National Medical Research Council (NMRC/1242/2009). The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed. No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Ethical conduct of research

The authors state that they have obtained appropriate institutional review board approval or have followed the principles outlined in the Declaration of Helsinki for all human or animal experimental investigations. In addition, for investigations involving human subjects, informed consent has been obtained from the participants involved.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Medical Research Council (NMRC/1242/2009). The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed. No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.