Recent advances in fast gaschromatography: application to the separation of fatty acid methyl esters

Gas-chromatography (GC) is a powerful separation technique for resolving and quantifying a wide range of compounds, such as fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) derivatives. Separation of common FAME is typically achieved on highly polar or polyethylene glycol stationary phases that can separate fatty acids according to chain length, number and geometry of ethylenic double bonds. GC is one of the most commonly available methods for fatty acid analysis with constant improvements for different applications. One such improvement is faster GC analysis, which has long been the focus of investigators researching the application and benefits of this technique. A greater speed of analysis offers many key benefits, such as increased sample throughput, reduced analytical expenses, and increased laboratory productivity. Fast GC analysis can be accomplished by using a short column with reduced column film thickness, high carrier gas velocity, and fast program temperatures. A summary of options for fast GC analysis with emphasis on FAME analysis is discussed in the present review.