Analysis of fatty acids in plasma lipoproteins by gas chromatography–flame ionization detection: Quantitative aspects Review Article

Profiles of fatty acids in lipid classes of plasma and ultracentrifugally separated lipoproteins were analyzed by capillary gas chromatography. Contribution of individual steps of the whole procedure was calculated on the basis of the multiple analyses. GC contributes to the overall error by the smallest part. Contribution of the extraction, thin-layer chromatography separation and methylation processes might be comparable. The value of relative standard deviation is indirectly proportional to the amount of analyzed component. Comparison of FA profiles in lipid classes of very low density lipoproteins and low density lipoproteins revealed highly individual differences. Increased content of arachidonic and docosahexaenoic acids in triglycerides of low density lipoproteins are in agreement with formerly published results. Duplicate analyses are recommended for the evaluation of differences between FA composition in individual lipoproteins.