A multivariate optimization of triacylglycerol analysis by high-performance liquid chromatography.

In the present study we have used statistical experimental design and multivariate optimization to formally optimize a reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography method for the analysis of triacylglycerol molecular species of natural oils. The optimal conditions found were, on an octadecylsilan-column, from acetonitrile/isooctane (90∶10, vol/vol) to acetonitrile/ethanol/isooctane (40∶35∶25, by vol), at a column temperature of 50°C and a flowrate of 1.5mL/min using a negative exponential gradient profile. Several examples of separations of natural seed and animal oils,i.e., soybean oil, rapeseed oil, palm oil, linseed oil, tallow and fish oil, are given. A version of the equivalent carbon number concept, utilizing the Snyder polarity index, was used to identity the molecular species.