Base-catalyzed derivatization methodology for FA analysis. Application to milk fat and celery seed lipid TAG

In this paper, an alternative base-catalyzed methodology for the facile derivatization in mild conditions of lipid TAG prior to FA analysis is proposed. Reagents were prepared by proton exchange between potassium tert-butoxide and either ethanol, n-propanol, n-butanol, or 2-methoxyethanol and used for the synthesis, at 40degreesC for 15 min, of the corresponding derivatives, which were directly analyzed by GC. This methodology can be used on a routine basis and has been applied to standard and complex natural lipid samples, Tripalmitin was used to determine optimal reaction conditions; and bovine milk fat, containing C-4 to C,2 acids, and celery (Apium graveolens) seed oil, characterized by a high level of petroselinic acid, were comparatively analyzed as their ethyl, n-propyl, n-butyl, and 2-methoxyethyl esters.