Chromatographic Determination of Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids in Selected Animal Tissues

Abstract

The objective of the study is to standardize GC determination of polyunsaturated fatty acids in animal tissues by lipid extraction with a hexane/propan-2-ol mixture and subsequent derivatization with CH₃ONa/BF₃. The limits of detection and recoveries for 18:2n-6, 20:4n-6, 18:3n-3, 20:5n-3, 22:5n-3 and 22:6n-3 fatty acids was in the range 0.32–0.42 mg/100 g, and 83–105 %, respectively. The content of physiologically important icosapentaenoic acid (EPA) in chicken breast meat, thigh meat, quail eggs and cricket nymphs was 3, 10, 51 and 21 mg/100 g of fresh matter (P < 0.05). The EPA contents in livers of laboratory rats fed diets supplemented with palm oil, safflower oil and fish oil was 4, 3 and 342 mg/100 g, respectively (P < 0.05).