Oxylipins are products of the oxidation of polyunsaturated free fatty acids. They are connected with many processes in the human body, such as inflammation, immunity and coagulation. Oxylipins have been associated in many conditions and they are characterized by processes like cardiovascular disease and aging. Because of their multitude and variety of functions, this class of metabolites is an interesting target in metabolomics.
Majority of oxylipins are present in plasma at low concentration. To detect and quantify the oxylipines at low concentration, a high sensitive method is required. Compounds such as oxylipins derived from the different polyunsaturated free fatty acids are often better analyzed by liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (LC-MS). This technique is being used in different types of industries, like environmental, food, metabolomics and bioanalysis.…show more content… It is one of the most applied techniques to biological molecules. High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) is an analysis technique. Using high pressure, the mobile phase is pumped through a packed column with small particles. Substances are separated on the basis of their molecular properties. Ultra High Performance Liquid Chromatography (UHPLC) works with columns packed with smaller particles (≤2μm) in the stationary phase. These smaller particles provide a higher pressure. A UHPLC system is needed to deliver this higher pressure. Due to the greater pressure it is possible to pump liquids through the column with small particles. This results in a better separation of the mixture, a shorter retention time, narrower peaks, and a better resolution. The biggest difference between UHPLC and HPLC is that the UHPLC works with a larger pressure. An optimal separation is necessary for this
