Stereospecific analysis of triacyl-sn-glycerols by chiral high-performance liquid chromatography

A method for the stereospecific analysis of triacyl-sn-glycerols by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) on a chiral column is described. Triacyl-sn-glycerols were partially degraded with ethyl magnesium bromide, and the monoacylglycerols produced were separated as 1- and 2-monoacylglycerol fractions by thin-layer chromatography on boric acid-impregnated silica gel plates. The 1-monoacylglycerols were resolved intosn-1 andsn-3 monoacylglycerol fractions by HPLC on a chiral column (Sumichiral OA-4100) after derivatization with 3,5-dinitrophenyl isocyanate. Fatty acid methyl esters obtained from the original triacyl-sn-glycerols, 1- and 2-monoacylglycerol fractions, andsn-1 andsn-3 monoacylglycerol fractions were analyzed by gas chromatography on open-tubular columns. Stereospecific acyl distributions in triacyl-sn-glycerols were calculated from the data. The acyl distributions of several oils were obtained. The method is rapid, simple and gave reproducible results.     

Stereospecific analysis of fish oil triacyl-sn-glycerols

Stereospecific analysis of fish oil triacyl-sn-glycerols was carried out by novel high-performance liquid chromatography on a chiral stationary phase. The positional distributions of fatty acids were determined without accumulation of errors in a particular position and preferential hydrolysis for a particular fatty acid. High-resolution gas-liquid chromatography on an open tubular column detailed the distribution of unsaturated fatty acid isomers having olefinic bonds in different positions. The distribution of fatty acids was not independent of other fatty acids. The distribution of long-chain highly unsaturated fatty acids 22:6(n-3), 22:5(n-3) and 20:5(n-3) was governed by total amounts of 20:1 and 22:1 in triacyl-sn-glycerols. Long-chain monounsaturated acids 20:1 and 22:1 were influenced by the position of the olefinic bond in 20:1 occurring in triacyl-sn-glycerols. Shorter-chain C14-C18 fatty acids seemed to be influenced by total fatty acid composition. These results introduce a concept of mutual interaction between fatty acids to the investigation of positional distribution of fatty acids.     

The triacylglycerol structure of olive oil determined by silver ion high-performance liquid chromatography in combination with stereospecific analysis

The compositions of positionssn-1,sn-2 andsn-3 of triacylglycerols from “extra-virgin” olive oil (Olea europaea) were determined. The procedure involved preparation of diacyl-rac-glycerols by partial hydrolysis with ethyl magnesium bromide; 1,3-, 1,2- and 2,3-diacyl-sn-glycerols as (S)-(+)-1-(1-naphthyl)ethyl urethanes were isolated by highperformance liquid chromatography (HPLC) on silica, and their fatty acid compositions were determined. The same procedure was also carried out on the five main triacylglycerol fractions of olive oil after separation according to the degree of unsaturation by HPLC in the silver ion mode. Although stereospecific analysis of the intact triacyl-sn-glycerols indicated that the compositions of positionssn-1 andsn-3 were similar, the analyses of the molecular species demonstrated marked asymmetry. The data indicate that the “1-random, 2-random, 3-random” distribution theory is not always applicable to vegetable oils.     

Stereospecific analysis of TAG from sunflower seed oil

Stereospecific analysis of TAG from a sunflower seed oil of Tunisian origin was performed. The TAG were first fractionated according to chain length and degree of unsaturation by RP-HPLC. The four major diacid- and triacid-TAG fractions were palmitoyldilinoleoyl-glycerol, dioleoyllinoleoylglycerol, oleoyldilinoleoylglycerol, and palmitoyloleoyl-linoleoyl-glycerol, amounting to 7.2, 16.6, 29.5, and 12 mol%, respectively. The TAG of the four fractions were individually submitted to stereospecific analysis, using a Grignard-based partial deacylation, separation of sn-1,2(2,3)-DAG from sn-1,3-DAG by boric acid-impregnated silica gel TLC plates, conversion of the sn-1,2(2,3)-DAG to their 3,5-dinitrophenylurethane (DNPU) derivatives, fractionation of DNPU derivatives by RP-HPLC, resolution of the DNPU-DAG by HPLC on a chiral column, transmethylation of each sn-DNPU-DAG fraction, and analysis of the resulting FAME by GC. The data obtained were used to determine the triacyl-sn-glycerol composition of the main TAG of the oil. Fifteen triacyl-sn-glycerols were identified and quantified, representing, along with the monoacid-TAG, trilinoleoylglycerol and trioleoylglycerol, more than 90% of the total oil TAG. The two major triacyl-sn-glycerols were trilinoleoyl-glycerol and 1-linoleoyl-2-linoleoyl-3-oleoyl-glycerol (18.6 and 18.5% of the total, respectively). Results clearly identified linoleic acid as the major FA at the sn-2 position, whereas oleic and palmitic acids were the major FA at the sn-3 position. The sn-1 position was occupied to nearly the same extent by linoleic and oleic acids, and to a greater extent by palmitic acid, which was practically absent at the sn-2 position.     

Stereospecific analysis of triacyl-sn-glycerolsvia resolution of diastereomeric diacylglycerol derivatives by high-performance liquid chromatography on silica

The compositions of positionssn-1, 2 and 3 of triacylglycerols can be determined by partial hydrolysis with ethyl magnesium bromide, derivatization of the total products with (S)-(+)-1-(1-naphthyl)ethyl isocyanate and isolation of the diacyl-sn-glycerol urethane derivatives by chromatography on solid-phase extraction columns containing an octadecylsilyl phase. The diastereomericsn-1,2-and 2,3-diacylglycerol derivatives are separated by high-performance liquid chromatography on silica for determination of their fatty acids by gas chromatography. Each step in the process has been evaluated rigorously. The compositions of all three positions can be calculated with good accuracy from the analyses of these compounds and that of the total triacylglycerols. Although the 1,3-sn-diacylglycerol derivatives can also be isolated easily, they do not give reliable results for the composition of positionsn-2 because acyl migration occurs during their generation. The stereospecific analysis procedure has been applied to some plant and animal triacyl-sn-glycerols of commercial and scientific interest, containing predominantly C₁₆ and C₁₈ fatty acids,i.e. safflower, sunflower, olive and palm oils, tallow, egg and rat adipose tissue. The method is not at present suited to the analysis of more complex triacylglycerols, such as milk fat or fish oils, and problems associated with these are discussed.     

Effects of dietary triacylglycerol structure on triacylglycerols of resultant chylomicrons from fish oil- and seal oil-fed rats

We investigated the influence of the intramolecular fatty acid distribution of dietary triacyl-sn-glycerols (TAG) rich in n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) on the structure of chylomicron TAG. Fish oil and seal oil, comparable in fatty acid compositions but with different contents of major n-3 PUFA esterified at thesn-2 position (20:5n-3, 46.6%, and 5.3%; 22:6n-3, 75.5%, and 3.8%, respectively), were fed to rats. Mesenteric lymph was collected and the chylomicrons were isolated by ultracentrifugation. The fatty acid composition of chylomicrons largely reflected the fatty acid composition of the oils administered. The intramolecular fatty acid distributions of the TAG fed were reflected in the chylomicron TAG as the fraction of the total contents observed in thesn-2 position of 20:5n-3 were 23.6 and 13.3%, and of 22:6n-3 were 30.6 and 5.4% for resultant chylomicrons following fish oil and seal oil administration, respectively. Thus, after seal oil administration, significant higher load of n-3 PUFA was esterified in thesn-1,3 positions of chylomicron TAG compared with fish oil administration (P<0.05).     

Chromatographic resolution of chiral diacylglycerol derivatives: Potential in the stereospecific analysis of triacyl-sn-glycerols

Diacylglycerols have been separated as their (S)-(+)-or (R)-(−)-1-(1-naphthyl)ethyl urethanes by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) on a column of silica gel with 0.5% 2-propanol in hexane as the mobile phase. The elution order of components derivatized with the (S)-form of the reagent was 1,3-, followed by 1,2-, and finally 2,3-diacyl-sn-glycerols. The elution order of 1,2- and 2,3-diastereomers was reversed when the (R)-form of 1-(1-naphthyl)ethyl isocyanate was used for derivatization. Single-acid 1,2- and 2,3-diastereomers were separated to the baseline with a resolution factor from 5.2–5.7, and the resolution factor between 1,3- and 1,2- or 2,3-diacyl-sn-glycerol derivatives was more than 23. Molecular species of single-acid diacylglycerol derivatives were separated in the sequence 18∶1<18∶0<18∶2<16.0. In order to assess this methodology as part of a procedure for the stereospecific analysis of triacyl-sn-glycerols, we prepared diacyl-rac-glycerols from maize oil, evening primrose oil and egg yolk triacylglycerols by partial hydrolysis with ethyl magnesium bromide. The 1,3-, 1,2- and 2,3-diacyl-sn-glycerols as (S)-(+)-1-(1-naphthyl)ethyl urethanes were isolated and their fatty acid compositions were determined. Although this only permitted an indirect determination of the compositions of positionssn-1,-2 and-3, it was sufficient to indicate the potential of the methodology because results comparable to those published earlier were achieved.     

Comparison between two procedures for stereospecific analysis of triacylglycerols from vegetable oils—I: Olive oil

Two methods for stereospecific analysis of triacylglycerols are compared. Procedure A, based on stereospecific phosphorylation ofsn-1,2-diacylglycerols to phosphatidic acids, and procedure B, based on separation of the diastereomeric 1,2(2,3)-diacylglycerol urethane derivatives by high-performance liquid chromatography on silica, were applied to olive oil triacyl-sn-glycerols. Statistical evaluation of the results showed good reproducibility, and Student'st-test indicates no statistical differences between the two considered procedures, although some small differences were observed and discussed. Fifteen samples of extra-virgin olive oil, produced in the same region (Umbria, Italy), were analyzed with the two considered procedures.     

Micro method for stereospecific analysis of triacyl-sn-glycerols by chiral-phase high-performance liquid chromatography

A procedure for micro stereospecific analysis of triacyl-sn-glycerols (TGs) by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) on a chiral column is presented. TGs were partially hydrolyzed with ethyl magnesium bromide, and total products were immediately converted to 3,5-dinitro-phenylurethane derivatives. Each of the 1- and 2-monoacylglycerol (MG) derivatives was isolated by HPLC on a silica column. The 1-MGs were resolved intosn-1 andsn-3 MG fractions by HPLC on a Sumichiral OA-4100 column (Sumitomo Chemical, Osaka, Japan). Fatty acid methyl esters obtained from thesn-1,sn-2 andsn-3 MG fractions were analyzed by gas-liquid chromatography on a capillary column. Analyses of standard TGs showed that, even with 1 mg of sample, accuracy was comparable to that obtained with 100-mg samples. Applying this procedure to the stereospecific analysis of 5 mg of jujube pulp, TGs revealed the positional distribution of the (n-5) series of monounsaturated fatty acids they contained. Honored Student Award Address presented at the 83rd AOCS Annual Meeting held in Toronto, Canada, May 10–14, 1992.     

The hydrolysis of very low density lipoproteins and chylomicrons of intestinal origin by lipoprotein lipase in ruminants

The hydrolysis by lipoprotein lipase of a very low density lipoprotein/chylomicron fraction, obtained from the intestinal lymph of sheep, has been studied in vitro. Rapid hydrolysis of triacylglycerols, with an accumulation of free fatty acids, was observed. After an initial lag period, phosphatidylcholine also was hydrolyzed. No specificity for particular fatty acids in the triacylglycerols (or phosphatidylcholines) was observed.     

Positional distribution of 24∶6(n−3) in triacyl-sn-glycerols from flathead flounder liver and flesh

This paper presents the positional distribution of very long-chain fatty acids, 24∶6(n−3), in triacyl-sn-glycerols (TG) of flathead flounder (Hippoglossoides dubius). Each of the liver and flesh TGs was subjected to the stereospecific analysis. The liver TGs contained 24∶6(n−3) at concentrations of 1.5, 1.2 and 1.7 mole % in thesn-1,sn-2 andsn-3 positions, respectively, and the flesh TGs had 9.0, 7.8 and 7.1 mole % in thesn-1,sn-2 andsn-3 positions, respectively. This fatty acid was distributed almost evenly among the three positions of the TGs. No preference for thesn-2 position was observed in contrast to the general tendency for the distribution of longer-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, such as 22∶6(n−3), 22∶5(n−3) and 20∶5(n−3). There was essentially no difference in the positional distributions of the liver and flesh TGs. The results obtained in this study give new fundamental information to the investigation of very long-chain fatty acids.     

Reinvestigation of positional distribution of fatty acids in docosahexaenoic acid-rich fish oil triacyl-sn-glycerols

Positional distribution of fatty acids in triacyl-sn-glycerols of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)-rich tuna orbital and bonito head oils has been reanalyzed by a method based on chromatographic separation of isomeric and enantiomeric monoacyl-sn-glycerol (MAG) derivatives. When boric acid thinlayer chromatography (TLC) was used for separation of 1(3)- and 2-MAG analytical intermediates, the stereospecific analysis showed the preferential association of DHA to the sn-2 position followed by the sn-3 position. This distribution pattern differed from that obtained by silicic acid LTC of their bis-3,5-dinitrophenylurethane (DNPU) derivatives. Reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography elution profiles of 1(3)- and 2-MAG intermediates revealed that 1(3)- and 2-MAG made up of both short- and long-chain lengths cannot be clearly resolved by TLC after preparation of the DNPU derivatives. The 1(3)- and 2-MAG must be resolved by boric acid TLC prior to derivatization.     

Effects of different medium-chain fatty acids on intestinal absorption of structured triacylglycerols

To study the effect of the chain length of medium-chain fatty acids on the intestinal absorption of long-chain fatty acids, we examined the lymphatic transport of fat following administration of five purified structured triacylglycerols (STAG) containing different medium-chain fatty acids in the sn-1, 3 positions and long-chain fatty acids in the sn-2 position in a rat model. Significant amounts of medium-chain fatty acids were found in lymph samples after intragastric administration of 1,3-dioctanoyl-2-linoleyl-sn-glycerol (8∶0/18∶2/8∶0), 1,3-didecanoyl-2-linoleyl-sn-glycerol, and 1,3-didodecanoyl-2-linoleyl-sn-glycerol. The accumulated lymphatic transport of medium-chain fatty acids increased with increasing carbon chain length. The recoveries of caprylic acid (8∶0), capric acid (10∶0), and lauric acid (12∶0) were 7.3±0.9, 26.3±2.4, and 81.7±6.9%, respectively. No significant differences were observed for the maximal intestinal absorption of linoleic acid (18∶2n−6) when the chain length of medium-chain fatty acids at the primary positions was varied, and the absorption of 18∶2 and oleic acid (18∶1) from 8∶0/18∶2/8∶0 and 1,3-dioctanoyl-2-oleyl-sn-glycerol was similar. We conclude that the chain length of the medium-chain fatty acids in the primary positions of STAG does not affect the maximal intestinal absorption of long-chain fatty acids in the sn-2 position in the applied rat model, whereas the distribution of fatty acids between the lymphatics and the portal vein reflects the chain length of the fatty acids. Presented in part at the 3rd ISSFAL Conference, Lyon, France, June 1–5, 1998.     

Stereospecific analysis of triacyl-sn-glycerols in Docosahexaenoic acid-rich fish oils

This paper presents the positional distribution of fatty acids in docosahexaenoic acid (22∶6n-3)-rich fish oil triacyl-sn-glycerols (TG). Stereospecific analysis of TG was carried out by a nonenzymatic method. The TG of bonito head oil, obtained after a winterization process, contained 22∶6n-3 at concentrations of 28,7, and 49 mole % in thesn-1,sn-2, andsn-3 positions, respectively. In the TG of oil before the winterization process, 22∶6n-3 was concentrated in thesn-3 position, followed evenly by thesn-1 andsn-2 positions. Tuna orbital oil, obtained after winterization, showed the preferential association of 22∶6n-3 to thesn-3 position, followed by thesn-1 position. This distribution pattern was similar to that observed for seal oil TG rather than sardine oil TG. The bonito head and tuna orbital oils are useful as fish oils with characteristics different from those of common fish oils, such as menhaden, sardine, and herring oils.     

Positional distribution of fatty acids in the triacylglycerols of developing oil palm fruit

The pattern of accumulation of triacylglycerols, their fatty acid compositions and the positional distribution of the fatty acids at thesn-2- andsn-1,3-positions of the triacylglycerol molecules at progressive stages of oil palm fruit development were determined. There was an exponential rate of increase of triacylglycerols and their fatty acids toward the end of fruit development. The fatty acid composition of the triacylglycerols in the early stages of development, prior to active accumulation, was more or less similar, but differed appreciably from the later stages, and the transition of fatty acid composition toward that of normal palm oil occurred at around 16 wk after anthesis (WAA) and stabilized at 20 WAA. All fatty acids increased in terms of absolute quantity. There was an overall consistency in fatty acid positional distribution, irrespective of development stage. More saturated fatty acids were found to be esterified at thesn-1,3-positions and more unsaturated fatty acids at thesn-2-position of triacylglycerol. Higher rate of incorporation of 16:0 at the 1,3-positions during the active phase of triacylglycerol synthesis was observed, while 18:1 acid exhibited a reverse trend.     

Regiospecific analysis of fractions of bovine milk fat triacylglycerols with the same partition number

Bovine milk fat was fractionated using preparative reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. The conditions consisted of two successive linear gradients of acetonitrile and tert-butylmethylether, followed by a final isocratic mixture of the two eluants, leading to triacylglycerols grouped by their partition number (PN). Fractions corresponding to partition numbers 32 to 50 were isolated and analyzed for fatty acid distribution between sn-1,3 and sn-2 positions by Grignard degradation. Results showed that the fatty acid distribution in milk fat triacylglycerols is nonrandom. The distribution of short-chain fatty acids, stearic (predominantly at sn-1,3 position) and palmitic (predominantly sn-2 position), did not change with triacylglycerol size. Medium-chain fatty acids were predominantly located at sn-2 position, but their proportion at this position decreased with triacylglycerol size. Oleic acid distribution was also size-dependent in that it was located in high proportions at sn-2 position in smaller triacylglycerols and vice versa. Results also showed that the sn-2 position was more unsaturated than sn-1,3 position in the PN range from 32 to 40, but it was more saturated in triacylglycerols with higher PN.     

The lipid composition of the spleen and intestinal and popliteal lymph nodes in the sheep

Lipids were isolated from the spleen, intestinal lymph nodes and popliteal lymph nodes, tissues of potential importance in the metabolism of lymph or lymphocytes, of the sheep. The most abundant lipid classes were the triacylglycerols, free cholesterol and phospholipids, especially phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine and sphingomyelin. In each lipid class, the amounts of the essential fatty acids were lower than in the corresponding lipids of lymph or plasma. The triacylglycerols of each tissue resembled those of adipose tissue in structure, rather than those of lymph or plasma. Also, the structures of the phosphatidylcholines were distinctive. The results are discussed in terms of the metabolism of lipids in lymph. It does not appear probable that lymphoid tissue can supply appreciable amounts of lipid to lymph.     

Analysis of low erucic acid turnip rapeseed oil (Brassica campestris) by negative ion chemical ionization tandem mass spectrometry. A method giving information on the fatty acid composition in positionssn-2 andsn-1/3 of triacylglycerols

A tandem mass spectrometric method is described for the rapid analysis of fatty acid combinations in mixtures of triacylglycerols. Triacylglycerols were introduced into a triple quadrupole mass spectrometervia a direct exposure probe and deprotonated using ammonia negative ion chemical ionization. Collisionally activated spectra were obtained and the resulting fragments used to identify the fatty acid constituents, and the fatty acids preferentially located at thesn-2 position of the triacylglycerols. Fourteen major molecular weight species of purified triacylglycerols of a supercritical fluid extract of low erucic acid turnip rapeseed oil (Brassica campestris) were analyzed. The five major combinations of fatty acids comprised two thrids of the total triacylglycerols and contained oleic, linoleic and α-linolenic acids with linoleic acid favoring thesn-2 position.     

Synthesis of C-18 mixed acid diacyl-sn-glycerol enantiomers

Procedures have been developed for the synthesis of both enantiomeric forms of mixed fatty acid, saturated and polyunsaturated 1,2-diacyl-sn-glycerols and 2,3-diacyl-sn-glycerols from D-mannitol as starting material. The following diacyl-sn-glycerols have been synthesized: 1-Stearoyl-2-linoleoyl-sn-glycerol, 1-stearoyl-2-linolenoyl-sn-glycerol, 2-linoleoyl-3-stearoyl-sn-glycerol and 2-linolenoyl-3-oleoyl-sn-glycerol. Their specific rotations, refractive indices, densities, solubilities, carbon and hydrogen analysis and iodine values have been reported. Presented in part at the ISF-AOCS World Congress, Chicago, September 1970.     

Evidence that palmitic acid is absorbed assn-2 monoacylglycerol from human milk by breast-fed infants

Milk fatty acids consist of about 20–25% palmitic acid (16∶0), with about 70% of 16∶0 esterified to thesn-2 position of the milk triacylglycerols. Hydrolysis of dietary triacylglycerols by endogenous lipases producessn-2 monoacylglycerols and free fatty acids, which are absorbed, reesterified, and then secreted into plasma. Unesterified 16∶0 is not well absorbed and readily forms soaps with calcium in the intestine. The positioning of 16∶0 at thesn-2 position of milk triacylglycerols could explain the high coefficient of absorption of milk fat. However, the milk lipase, bile salt-stimulated lipase, has been suggested to complete the hydrolysis of milk fat to free fatty acids and glycerol. These studies determined whether 16∶0 is absorbed from human milk assn-2 monopalmitin by comparison of the plasma triacylglycerol total andsn-2 position fatty acid composition between breast-fed and formula-fed term gestation infants. The human milk and formula had 21.0 and 22.3% of 16∶0, respectively, with 54.2 and 4.8% 16∶0 in the fatty acids esterified to the 2 position. The plasma triacylglycerol total fatty acids had 26.0±0.6 and 26.2±0.6% of 16∶0, and thesn-2 position fatty acids had 23.3±3.3 and 7.4±0.7% of 16∶0 in the three-month-old exclusively breast-fed (n=17) and formula-fed (n=18) infants, respectively. Marked differences were found in the plasma total and the 2 position phospholipid percentage of 20∶4ω6, i.e., 11.6±0.3 and 6.9±0.6 (total), 17.7±1.4 and 9.7±0.6 (sn-2 position) and percentage of 22∶6ω3, 4.6±0.3 and 2.1±0.3 (total), 5.6±0.6 and 2.0±0.2 (sn-2 position) for the breast-fed and formula-fed infants, respectively. These studies provide convincing evidence that 16∶0 is absorbed from human milk assn-2 monoacyl-glycerol. The metabolic significance of the differences in positional distribution of fatty acids in the plasma lipids of breast-fed and formula-fed infants is not known.