Regioisomeric and enantiomeric analysis of triacylglycerols.

A survey of useful methods for separation and identification of regioisomers and enantiomers of triacylglycerols. Gas chromatography, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, 13C NMR determination of regioisomers by enzymatic methods, and supercritical fluid chromatography are briefly surveyed, whereas a detailed description is given of the analysis of triacylglycerols by liquid chromatography, especially with silver ion (Ag+; argentation), and nonaqueous reversed phase liquid chromatography. Special attention is paid to chiral chromatography. Details of mass spectrometry of triacylglycerols are also described, especially the identification of important triacylglycerol ions such as [M + H-RCOOH]+ in atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectra.