Isolation and identification of unsaturated fatty acid methyl esters from marine micro-algae

Abstract In order to study the biological activity of a micro-algae extract rich in fatty acids, the purification and structural identification of two hexadecadienoic methyl esters (16 : 2) and one hexadecatrienoic methyl ester (16 : 3) were performed. The purification of these molecules was carried out by liquid chromatography using a porous graphitic carbon phase. Determination of the chain length, degree and position of unsaturations was achieved by gas chromatography/electron impact mass spectrometer on dimethyloxazoline derivatives. With regard to the double bonds cis or trans isomery was determined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Structures were confirmed by 1 H and 13 C nuclear magnetic resonance.