Advanced Method for the Detection of Saturated Monoglycerides in Biodiesel Using GC-EI-MS/MS

Common B7 biodiesels consist of mixtures of mineral oil-based diesel and 7% fatty acid methyl ester (FAME). While biocontent increase can be achieved with these blends at high-quality levels during cold temperature periods, fuel filter blocking events are reported from time to time. Based on a preliminary study on fuel filters, the selection of compounds responsible for filter blocking could be narrowed down to saturated monoglycerides (SMGs). The most abundant SMGs in Europe are 1- and 2-monopalmitin (1-C16:0, 2-C16:0) and 1-monostearin (C18:0), based on the FAME origin. Until now, there has been no simple, precise, and accurate method to quantitatively detect those SMGs in the B7 matrix, which was the aim of the following work. An improved gas chromatography electron ionization tandem mass spectrometry method was developed for the quantitative detection of 1-C16:0, 2-C16:0, C18:0, and C20:0 SMGs. During the method improvement, (a) the sample preparation and (b) the calibration were optimized for low concentrations. (c) The samples were analyzed by multiple reaction monitoring focusing on specific qualifier and quantifier ions with optimized collision energies, (d) time segments and improved scan time were implemented, and (e) limits of detection and limits of quantification were determined. The time-stability of SMG standards in CHCl₃ with 4% neat biodiesel and the discrimination effects of the standard components were evaluated to assess method reliability. Overall, a highly sensitive and precise method for the improved detection of SMGs in biodiesel is presented.