Fast and reliable characterization of egg triacylglycerol profiles using atmospheric solids analysis probe tandem mass spectrometry (ASAP-MS/MS) combined with chemometric tools

Abstract

In this study, the potential of atmospheric solid analysis probe tandem mass spectrometry (ASAP-MS/MS) was assessed as a green and rapid method combined with gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC-FID) and chemometrics to determine the triacylglycerol (TAG) profile of eggs from various housing systems, including indoor, cage-free, free-range, organic, and enriched systems. The most abundant ions were identified using the product ion and neutral loss scan. The fatty acid composition, mainly unsaturated, palmitic, and stearic acids of eggs was influenced by the housing systems. The optimal conditions of ASAP-MS for cone voltage, desolvation gas temperature, and desolvation gas flow were determined to be 40 V, 600 °C, and 1100 L h−1, respectively. The main TAGs (50:2, 50:1, 52:4, 52:3, 52:2, 52:1, 54:4, 54:3, 54:2, 54:1) were observed in the mass range m/z 830–890. Notable differences were observed for TAGs 54:1 and 52:4, which were found in significantly higher levels on WE and CE. The proposed methodology enables rapid and efficient TAG profiling of egg yolks, providing a solid foundation for future research in this field.