Ceramide analysis utilizing gas chromatography–mass spectrometry

Suitable analytical methods are a prerequisite of a detailed investigation of ceramides. Therefore, a new gas chromatograph–mass spectrometry method with electron impact ionization was developed. Samples have been prepared for gas chromatography by the formation of volatile trimethylsilyl derivatives. The method provides high separation efficiency, sensitivity and specificity. Mass spectra facilitate the structural characterization of each species, because certain fragments indicate the fatty acid as well as the sphingoid base moiety. In a 30-mm run even very similar ceramides are baseline separated. The method is compared to a recently published assay for liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry.