title: A novel derivatization procedure and chiral gas chromatographic method for enantiomeric purity screening of L-carnitine.
abstract: L-Carnitine is used extensively in functional foods and food supplements; consequently, the control of its enantiomeric purity is of paramount importance. A new derivatization procedure and chiral gas chromatographic method with flame ionization detection, using a cyclodextrin based stationary phase, enables prompt, simple, and inexpensive screening of the enantiomeric ratio of L- and D-carnitine in samples with different matrices. Conversion of carnitine to beta-acetoxy-gama-butyrolactone was optimized for maximum conversion (98% of the desired product lactone was formed and 2% of the side product gama-crotonolactone) and minimum racemization (no changes at the chiral center were detected) and time consumption. As it is shown in this study, a fast gas chromatographic method, with total run time of 7 min, together with the new derivatization procedure enables an effective enantiomeric purity screening of L-carnitine in real samples such as food supplements and L-carnitine raw ingredient.
authors.forename: Alen
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Albreht
authors.forename: Borut
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zupančič
authors.forename: Irena
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Vovk
mesh_terms: D015107:4-Butyrolactone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000737:chemistry; D002331:Carnitine / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry*; D002623:Chemistry Techniques, Analytical; D002849:Chromatography, Gas / Q000379:methods*; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid; D003505:Cyclodextrins / Q000737:chemistry; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D007783:Lactones / Q000737:chemistry; D008956:Models, Chemical; D013237:Stereoisomerism; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D003505:Cyclodextrins; D007783:Lactones; C004511:butenolide; D015107:4-Butyrolactone; D002331:Carnitine