High-throughput analysis of total plasma fatty acid composition with direct in situ transesterification.
BACKGROUND
Plasma fatty acid (FA) composition reflects dietary intake and endogenous turnover and is associated with health outcomes on a short and long term basis. The total plasma FA pool represents the composition of all FA containing lipid fractions. We developed a simplified and affordable high-throughput method for the analysis of total plasma FA composition, suitable for large studies.


RESULTS
The total lipid FA from 100 microl plasma is transferred in situ into methyl esters, avoiding initial extraction and drying steps. The fatty acid methyl esters are extracted once and analyzed by gas chromatography. For the new direct in situ transesterification method optimal, reaction parameters were determined. Intra-assay analysis (n=8) revealed coefficients of variation below 4% for FA contributing more than 1% to total FA.


CONCLUSIONS
The results show good agreement with FA concentrations obtained by a reference method. The new direct in situ transesterification method is robust and simple. Sample preparation time and analysis costs are reduced to a minimum. This method is an economically and ecologically superior alternative to conventional methods for assessing plasma FA status in large studies.
Glaser
Claudia
C
Division of Metabolic and Nutritional Medicine, Dr. von Hauner Children's Hospital, University of Munich Medical Center, Munich, Germany.
Demmelmair
Hans
H
Koletzko
Berthold
B
D053000:Analytic Sample Preparation Methods; D001774:Blood Chemical Analysis / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D004951:Esterification; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000097:blood* / Q000737:chemistry*; D006801:Humans; D007202:Indicators and Reagents / Q000737:chemistry; D012015:Reference Standards; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012997:Solvents / Q000737:chemistry
D005227:Fatty Acids; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D012997:Solvents