Rapid and miniaturized qualitative and quantitative gas chromatography profiling of human blood total fatty acids

The qualitative and quantitative profiling of fatty acids in human blood is a useful tool in disease prevention and health care, two concepts that are intimately related. In fact, fatty acid (FA) analysis can provide in-depth information on a specific metabolic state of individuals. The goal of the present research consisted of the development of a rapid and miniaturized analytical strategy for the complete characterization of the fatty acid profile in human blood. Sample collection was carried out by using the dried blood spot approach, while fatty acid derivatization to methyl esters was performed directly by using sodium methoxide and boron trifluoride. The following figures of merit were defined: intra- and inter-day repeatability, linearity range, limits of detection, and quantification. Additionally, the accuracy of the developed method was evaluated in the analysis of a certified reference human plasma sample. Apart from blood, the analytical procedure was also applied to samples of human serum and plasma. During the final stage of the research, the developed analytical method was performed in a fully automated manner.