Derivatization in Gas Chromatography of Lipids

Derivatization is performed as part of gas chromatographic (GC) analysis of lipids primarily to extend the spectrum of substances that can be determined by this method. Derivatization in general converts less volatile and thermally labile substances into compounds that can be analyzed in the gaseous state. One of the most important methods is protection (derivatization) of polar groups such as –OH, –NH₂, –SH, or –COOH. Due to an elevated temperature in a gas chromatograph, the analysis of compounds having free polar groups either suffers from a poor division (formation of tailing peaks) like, e.g., in the case of free fatty acids, or the analysis completely fails, e.g., in the case of saccharides formed after the hydrolysis of glycopeptides (e.g., digalactosyldiacylglycerols) (Table 1).

Table 1 Names of conventional derivatizing agents