Page 78 - Illustrated Pocket Dictionary of Chromatography

74 FATTY ACID METHYL ESTER ANALYSIS (FAME)

fatty acid methyl ester analysis (FAME) The analysis of
carboxylic acids by gas chromatography, especially fatty acids, is
an important technique. The analysis requires that the sample, often
present as a triglyceride, is hydrolyzed and the resulting free fatty acid
esterified to produce a volatile product.
O

C(CH 2 ) n CH 3
O
O O O
OH - BF 3
C(CH 2 ) n CH 3 3 HOC(CH 2 ) n CH 3 3 H 3 COC(CH 2 ) n CH 3
O CH 3 OH
Free fatty acid FAME
O
O
C(CH 2 ) n CH 3
Triglyceride
ferrule A component of a separation system that fits over tubing
and is deformed inside a compression fitting (typically by tightening
a nut into the union) such that the union forms a leak-free flow path.

Left to right: three vespel ferrules for different size connectors, one graphite
ferrule, and a blended vespel ferrule. Graphite is extremely soft and deforms well
to create a leakproof union. It typically cannot be resealed. Vespel is a hard mate-
rial that often can be resealed.