Fast and Specific Screening of EPA/DHA-Enriched Phospholipids in Fish Oil Extracted from Different Species by HILIC-MS

Eicosapentaenoic acid- and docosahexaenoic acid-enriched phospholipids (PLEPA/DHA) have versatile health-beneficial functions and can be well absorbed in the intestine. Herein, a precursor ion scan-driven hydrophilic interaction chromatography mass spectrometry (PreIS-HILIC-MS) method with the fatty acyl moieties of m/z 301.6 and 327.6 locked was established to specifically and selectively screen PLEPA/DHA in different fish oil samples, including saury, grass carp, hairtail, and yellow croaker. Taking saury oil as an example, a total of 24 PLEPA/DHA were successfully identified and quantified, including 20 PCEPA/DHA and 4 PEEPA/DHA. Finally, this method was validated in terms of sensitivity (limit of detection <= 4.15 pg.mL(-1)), linearity (>= 0.9979), precision (RSDintraday <= 4.65%), and recovery (>= 78.6%). The performance of the PreIS-HILIC-MS method was also compared with that of the traditional full-scan mode, and the former demonstrated its unique superiority in targeted screening of PLEPA/DHA in fish oils.

Automated summary

An PreIS-HILIC-MS method was established to specifically and selectively screen PLEPA/DHA in different fish oil samples, including saury, grass carp, hairtail, and yellow croaker. The method demonstrated high sensitivity, good linearity, and suitability for quantitative analysis of PLEPA/DHA in fish oil samples, with the ability to identify and quantify 24 different compounds. The performance of this method was compared with traditional full-scan mode and showed unique superiority in targeted screening of PLEPA/DHA in fish oils.