Gas-chromatography/mass-spectrometry analysis of human skin constituents as heptafluorobutyrate derivatives with special reference to long-chain bases.
The composition of the constituents (monosaccharides, long-chain bases, and fatty acids) found in an ethanol extract of the human skin could be determined, without time-consuming steps of purification, after acid-catalyzed anhydrous methanolysis, followed by the formation of volatile derivatives with heptafluorobutyric anhydride and gas-chromatography/mass-spectrometry analysis. Despite the extreme heterogeneity of such extracts, the electron impact analysis of the constituents allowed qualitative and quantitative determinations of monosaccharides, long-chain bases, fatty acids, and alkyl-glycerols. Throughout the different long-chain bases, sphingenines (Sphes), sphinganines, phytosphingosines, and 6-hydroxy-Sphes (6oh-Sphes) can be identified and quantified. Long-chain bases with a chain-length up to 28 carbon atoms can be identified through specific fragmentation patterns in the electron impact mode. Particular attention was drawn to the behavior of compounds of the family of 6oh-Sphes upon acid-catalyzed methanolysis.
Pons
Alexandre
A
CNRS Unité Mixte de Recherche 8576, Glycobiologie Structurale et Fonctionnelle, Laboratoire de Chimie Biologique Université des Sciences et Technologies de Lille, 59655 Villeneuve d'Ascq cedex, France.
Timmerman
Philippe
P
Leroy
Yves
Y
Zanetta
Jean-Pierre
JP
D000215:Acylation; D005466:Fluorocarbons / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D015394:Molecular Structure
D005466:Fluorocarbons; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; C033094:perfluorobutyric acid