Fast HPLC determination of serum free fatty acids in the picomole range

We developed a method for determining individual free fatty acids in serum by using a modified one-step Dole extraction, derivatization, and a new high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) separation. Sample handling is minimized to a single transfer of the fatty acids (upper layer of the Dole extract), which are readily derivatized at 85 degrees C with p-bromophenacyl bromide without significant hydrolysis of esterified fatty acids. The derivatization mixture is directly injected into the HPLC apparatus. The new method, which uses C6 (3-microns particle) column material and an isocratic acetonitrile-water eluent, separates nearly to baseline 12 of the physiologically most abundant long-chain fatty acids (C12-C22) in < 20 min with a detection limit of approximately 2 pmol. It is therefore suitable for routine analysis even with basic HPLC equipment and can easily analyze a series of 10-20 samples in about 2 h including extraction until first results are available. The method is also applicable to other matrices than serum, e.g., for determination of precursor fatty acids such as arachidonic acid in platelets or of fatty acid patterns liberated by lipases or phospholipases A1/A2 in test systems.