The use of coupled gas chromatography columns for the determination of individual isomers of trans fatty acids in the adipose tissue of vegans
Abstract
The profile of fatty acids including detailed analysis of positional trans and cis isomers of octadecenoic acid in subcutaneous fat (adipose) tissue was determined on two polar 100-m SLB-IL111 and SP-2560 columns joined by a connector, with hydrogen carrier gas at a flow rate of 1.7cm(3)/min and injection of the 1.0mm(3) of derivatised sample with split of 100:1. The separation time was 160min, with determination of 62 fatty acids, 13 of which were trans isomers.
An epidemiological study demonstrated a lower level of trans fatty acids in vegans; the sum of trans fatty acids in vegans equaled 4.6mg/g of adipose tissue, while that for the control group of omnivores was 7.7mg/g. In contrast, the level of beneficial polyunsaturated fatty acids in vegans was 201.8mg/g, compared to 103.3mg/g in omnivores.