Analysis of fatty acids by combined application of chemical, chromatographic and spectroscopic methods

By combined application of chemical pretreatments, and chromatographic and spectroscopic methods, it is possible to coordinate individual species of a complex lipid extract with high safety. In the sample studied, besides a high content of palmitic and cis -vaccenic acid, small amounts of unusual fatty acids containing hydroxy groups and cyclopropane rings were detected. The presence of polyunsaturated fatty acids was excluded by structure-retention relationships, which were obtained on phases of different polarity. On the basis of these studies, and without the use of reference substances, a routine analysis of these unusual fatty acids in biological materials is possible.