Identification of ceramide 2-aminoethylphosphonate molecular species from different aquatic products by NPLC/Q-Exactive-MS.

Ceramide 2-aminoethylphosphonate (CAEP) is a type of phosphonosphingolipids with potential trophic activity. In this work, complicated CAEP species from different aquatic products were comprehensively identified and semi-quantified by utilizing normal phase liquid chromatography/Q-Exactive mass spectrometry (NPLC/Q-Exactive-MS). We elucidated the fragment schemes of CAEP molecules and found the presence of methylated CAEP (Me-CAEP) species. Remarkably, quantitative results revealed that Loligo chinensis had the highest CAEP content of 4.9 ± 0.4 mg/g dry weight and the most complex molecular species composition, whereas Asterias amurenis had the lowest CAEP content of 1.9 ± 0.6 mg/g dry weight. The most common molecule was CAEP (d19:3-16:0). Additionally, statistical analysis revealed that five aquatic products can be effectively distinguished from their CAEP species; thus, CAEP molecules can play an important role in identifying processed products from aquatic products.