Characterization of the TAG of peanut oil by electrospray LC-MS-MS

A study of processed peanut oil was undertaken to assess the utility of HPLC combined with tandem MS to obtain data easily regarding the number of TAG of fats and oils and their FA composition. Mass chromatograms and spectra corresponding to only TAG of a single M.W. were obtained for the full range of TAG in the sample. Analysis of the mass spectra allowed the identification of more than 160 TAG in the sample by their FA composition. In addition, it was possible to estimate relative abundances of the TAG and suggest the position of the FA on glycerol for a limited number of cases. This technique greatly simplifies the task of assigning FA to coeluting TAG and facilitates identification of TAG present in trace quantities in mixtures, with possible application in circumstances where such trace TAG could be significant markers. Results are quickly obtained without extensive sample preparation or prefractionation of the sample.