Recent Analytical Methodologies in Lipid Analysis.

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
• Analytical Chemistry
• Biomedical Research

Background:

• Lipids are essential biomolecules with diverse functions.
• Imbalances in lipid profiles are implicated in various diseases, including diabetes, inflammation, and cardiovascular/neurological disorders.
• The complexity of lipid structures poses significant challenges for accurate analysis and quantification.

Purpose of the Study:

• To critically review recent (2019-2023) advancements in lipid analysis strategies.
• To cover the entire analytical workflow from sample pretreatment to data interpretation.
• To highlight techniques enabling precise lipid identification and quantification for disease research.

Main Methods:

• Review of extraction methods, detailing advantages and disadvantages.
• Focus on instrumental analysis, primarily mass spectrometry (MS) coupled with chromatography (LC-MS, GC-MS).
• Emphasis on data interpretation for robust lipidomic information.

Main Results:

• Recent strategies enhance lipid extraction, separation, and detection.
• Mass spectrometry, particularly when combined with chromatography, is the predominant technique for lipid identification and quantification.
• Accurate, precise, and robust analytical approaches are crucial for generating meaningful lipidomic data.

Conclusions:

• Effective lipid analysis is vital for understanding disease mechanisms at a molecular level.
• Advanced analytical techniques provide essential lipidomic insights.
• Identified lipid biomarkers hold potential for disease diagnosis and therapeutic targeting.