Rapid method for analysis of sphingomyelin by microwave derivatisation for gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

Esterification and transesterification of lipids using boron trifluoride in methanol is widely used in lipid chemistry to study fatty acid (FA) profiles of various lipids by GC–MS. Transesterification of the FAs in sphingolipids is a difficult and time‐consuming task. A rapid and convenient method for preparation of FAMEs from sphingomyelin (SM) using microwaves (MWs) was developed for GC–MS analysis. Experiments with three levels of power were performed and the yields were compared at regular time intervals. The maximum yields for all power levels were the same, but the time to reach these yields varied with the power. It was found that at a power of 70 W the maximum yield was reached after 27 min having a stable time window of 8 min for this yield. Practical applications: The technique presented here enables a rapid and easy method for preparing FAMEs from SM by the use of a MW reactor. The reaction time has been reduced from several hours down to only 27 min, with excellent yields.