Analysis of Genetically Modified Canola Varieties by Atmospheric Pressure Chemical Ionization Mass Spectrometric and Flame Ionization Detection

Abstract

Abstract Canola oil triacylglycerols from genetically modified canola lines were conclusively identified by reverse phase HPLC coupled with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometric (APCI-MS) detection. APCI-MS is a soft ionization technique, which gave simple spectra for triacylglycerols. Spectral identification of the triacylglycerols was based on the diacylglycerol fragments and on the protonated molecular ion [M+H]+, except trisaturates which gave no [M+H]+. Triacylglycerols were identified and quantitated in normal, high stearic acid and high lauric acid canola varieties by the RP-HPLC/APCI-MS technique. The LC/APCI-MS identification of canola oil triacylglycerols allowed their quantitation by reverse phase HPLC coupled with a commercial flame ionization detector (FID). There was agreement between fatty acid composition obtained by LC/APCI-MS and LC-FID. However, the triacylglycerol resolution obtained by LC/APCI-MS, was superior to LC-FID in the qualitative identification of triacy...