Use of compound specific δ13C stable isotope analysis for intact triacylglcerides using high temperature gas chromatography up to 430°C.

Abstract

We report a preliminary study demonstrating that high temperature gas chromatography with the oven operated at up to 430°C can be coupled with compound specific isotope ratio mass spectrometry (HTGC-CSIRMS) for the measurement of stable carbon isotopes. There was good agreement between data obtained using bulk and compound specific techniques for the C87 hydrocarbon apolane-87 and tripalmitolein.  13C values of three main triacylglycerides in different olive oils were measured for the first time and differed from bulk values of the olive oils. The use of HTGC-CSIRMS has wide-ranging application and warrants further study and validation.