Optimization and Validation of the GC/FID Method for the Quantification of Fatty Acids in Bee Products

Featured Application: Authors are encouraged to provide a concise description of the specific application or a potential application of the work. This section is not mandatory. To the best of our knowledge, so far, no study has been conducted about the comparison of the total fatty acid concentration in the four bee products (honey, bee pollen, bee bread, and propolis) collected from Lithuania. Therefore, we aimed to optimize the derivatization parameters and to investigate a simple and sensitive gas chromatography-flame ionization detection (GC-FID) method to determine fatty acids. The optimal derivatization parameters were used to analyze fatty acids in the bee products. Regarding sample preparation, three derivatization parameters were compared (temperature and extraction time with BF3/MeOH reagent) in order to obtain a high amount of the total fatty acids of interest from the fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) standard. The results showed that the highest total yield of fatty acids was conducted by using the conventional heating process at 70 degrees C for 90 min. Under optimal conditions, there was obtained excellent linearity for fatty acids with determination coefficients of r(2) > 0.9998. The LODs and LOQs ranged from 0.21 to 0.54 mu g/mL and 0.63 to 1.63 mu g/mL, respectively. This method has been successfully applied to the qualitative analysis of fatty acids in bee products. The above findings might provide a scientific basis for evaluating the nutritional values of bee products.

Automated summary

This study aimed to compare the total fatty acid concentration in four bee products collected from Lithuania. Through optimization of derivatization parameters and using the GC-FID method, it was found that the highest total yield of fatty acids was obtained using the conventional heating process at 70 degrees C for 90 minutes. Excellent linearity and accuracy were achieved under optimal conditions, making it suitable for qualitative analysis of fatty acids in bee products.