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Fatty Acid Analysis Service

At Creative Proteomics, we offer comprehensive fatty acid analysis services that provide detailed profiling, quantification, and identification of fatty acids in various biological and environmental samples. Our advanced techniques, including GC-FID and GC-MS, enable precise measurements, helping researchers investigate lipid metabolism, disease biomarkers, nutritional impacts, and environmental effects with high sensitivity and accuracy.

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Service We Provide
List of Fatty Acids
Methods
Advantages
Results and Data Analysis
Sample Requirements
FAQ
Publication

What are Fatty Acids?

Fatty acids are crucial building blocks of lipids, consisting of a carboxyl group and a long hydrocarbon chain. They are essential for energy production, cell membrane structure, and cellular signaling. According to the carbon chain length, fatty acids can be divided into short-chain fatty acids (2-4 carbon atoms), medium-chain fatty acids (6-12 carbon atoms) and long-chain fatty acids (more than 14 carbon atoms).

Fatty acids serve as primary energy sources, stored as triglycerides in adipose tissue. They are involved in forming phospholipids, which make up cell membranes, and regulate various biological processes such as inflammation and cell signaling. The balance of different fatty acid types significantly impacts overall health and disease prevention.

Fatty Acid Service in Creative Proteomics

At Creative Proteomics, we offer comprehensive fatty acid analysis services tailored to meet the unique needs of researchers, clinicians, and industry professionals. Our services cover a wide range of fatty acid profiles and molecular data to facilitate in-depth analysis.

Fatty Acid Profiling

Detailed quantification of fatty acid composition in biological samples, including tissues, plasma, serum, and oils. We provide insights into saturated, unsaturated, and trans fatty acid content.

Free Fatty Acid (FFA) Measurement

Accurate analysis of free fatty acids in various biological matrices to support metabolic studies and nutritional assessments.

Fatty Acid Methyl Ester (FAME) Analysis

Characterization of fatty acid methyl esters through advanced gas chromatography (GC) techniques to determine the fatty acid profile.

Lipidomic Profiling

Comprehensive analysis of complex lipids and lipid classes to investigate lipid metabolism, signaling, and membrane integrity.

Trans Fatty Acid Detection

Sensitive detection and quantification of trans fatty acids, which have significant implications in health, particularly cardiovascular disease.

Fatty Acid Oxidation Studies

Quantifying metabolites of fatty acid oxidation to understand metabolic dysfunctions, particularly in metabolic diseases like diabetes and obesity.

List of Detected Fatty Acids

Saturated
Unsaturated
Trans
Branched-Chain
Hydroxy
Oxidized
Bioactive

Saturated Fatty Acids (SFA)

Saturated fatty acids are crucial components of lipids that do not contain double bonds between carbon atoms. They are commonly found in animal fats, dairy products, and certain plant oils.

Butyric acid (C4:0)
Caproic acid (C6:0)
Caprylic acid (C8:0)
Capric acid (C10:0)

Lauric acid (C12:0)
Myristic acid (C14:0)
Palmitic acid (C16:0)
Stearic acid (C18:0)

Arachidic acid (C20:0)
Behenic acid (C22:0)
Lignoceric acid (C24:0)
Cerotic acid (C26:0)

Unsaturated Fatty Acids (UFA)

These fatty acids contain one or more double bonds between carbon atoms. They are generally liquid at room temperature.

Monounsaturated Fatty Acids (MUFA) (One Double Bond)

Palmitoleic acid (C16:1)
Oleic acid (C18:1n9c)
Vaccenic acid (C18:1n7)
Eicosenoic acid (C20:1)
Erucic Acid (C22:1n9)
Nervonic Acid (C24:1)

Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (PUFA) (Multiple Double Bonds)

Linoleic acid (C18:2n6)
Gamma-linolenic acid (C18:3n6)
Alpha-linolenic acid (C18:3n3)
Eicosadienoic acid (C20:2)
Dihomo-γ-linolenic acid (C20:3n6)

Arachidonic acid (C20:4n6)
Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) (C20:5n3)
Docosapentaenoic acid (DPA) (C22:5n3)
Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) (C22:6n3)
Adrenic acid (C22:4n6)

Trans Fatty Acids

These are unsaturated fatty acids with at least one trans double bond, typically found in partially hydrogenated fats. Trans fats are linked to cardiovascular diseases and metabolic disorders. We provide accurate trans fatty acid analysis to help assess their presence in diets and their impact on health, especially in processed foods.

Trans-oleic acid (C18:1t)
Trans-Linoleic acid (C18:2t,t)
Trans-Alpha-linolenic acid (C18:3t,t)

Branched-Chain Fatty Acids (BCFA)

These fatty acids have a branched hydrocarbon chain, often found in certain bacteria, plants, and foods. Branched-chain fatty acids are important biomarkers in metabolic and microbial research. Their presence can indicate microbial activity or metabolic disturbances.

Iso-palmitic acid (Iso-C16:0)
Iso-heptadecanoic acid (Iso-C17:0)
Iso-stearic acid (Iso-C18:0)
Anteiso-palmitic acid (Anteiso-C16:0)

Anteiso-heptadecanoic acid (Anteiso-C17:0)
10-Methylstearic acid (10-Methyl-C18:0)

Hydroxy Fatty Acids

Hydroxy fatty acids contain one or more hydroxyl groups (-OH), which impart distinctive biochemical properties. These fatty acids are often involved in signaling pathways, inflammation processes, and as intermediates in lipid biosynthesis.

12-Hydroxy oleic acid (12-Hydroxy-9-octadecenoic acid)
9-Hydroxy stearic acid (9-Hydroxy-C18:0)
6-Hydroxy oleic acid (6-Hydroxy-9-octadecenoic acid)
15-Hydroxy-eicosatetraenoic acid (15-HETE)

Oxidized Fatty Acids

Oxidized fatty acids are the products of lipid peroxidation. They play a role in cellular signaling, inflammation, and oxidative stress. They are important biomarkers in aging, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodegenerative disorders.

9-Oxo-10(E)-octadecenoic acid
13-Hydroxy-9-octadecenoic acid
15-Oxo-eicosanoic acid
4-Hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE)
15-Hydroxy-eicosapentaenoic acid (15-HEPE)

Bioactive Lipids

These fatty acids are involved in bioactive roles in metabolism, inflammation, and disease modulation. They include precursors of various lipid mediators, such as endocannabinoids, prostaglandins, and leukotrienes.

Endocannabinoid (2-arachidonoylglycerol)
Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2)
Leukotriene B4 (LTB4)
Nervonic acid (C24:1)
Tetracosapentaenoic acid (C24:5n3)

What Methods are Used for Our Fatty Acid Analysis?

At Creative Proteomics, we offer two advanced techniques for fatty acid analysis: Gas Chromatography with Flame Ionization Detection (GC-FID) and Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS). These methods are highly effective for profiling fatty acids in a variety of biological, food, and environmental samples. GC-FID provides reliable, high-throughput quantification, while GC-MS offers in-depth identification and detailed analysis of fatty acid composition, including isomers and derivatives. Our cutting-edge instruments ensure precise, accurate results tailored to your research needs.

Comparing GC-FID and GC-MS for Fatty Acid Analysis

Feature	GC-FID	GC-MS
Sensitivity	High sensitivity for fatty acid quantification	Very high sensitivity and specificity for both identification and quantification
Quantification	Excellent for quantitative analysis	Accurate for both quantitative and qualitative analysis
Identification	Primarily for quantification; limited to fatty acid methyl esters	Excellent for identifying individual fatty acids and their isomers
Complexity	Simpler, faster, and more cost-effective	More complex, time-consuming, but offers detailed analysis
Applications	Routine fatty acid profiling, food and oil analysis	Advanced fatty acid and lipidomic profiling, metabolomics, environmental studies

Agilent 7890A GC System (Figure from Agilent)

Thermo Fisher Q Exactive (Figure from Thermo Fisher)

Why Choose Our Fatty Acid Services?

Comprehensive fatty acid profiling: Our service analyzes a broad range of fatty acids, including saturated, unsaturated, branched, and trans fatty acids, with the capability to identify and quantify over 30 individual fatty acid species.
Wide sample compatibility: We can process diverse sample types such as plasma, serum, tissues, oils, food products, and environmental samples, ensuring flexibility for various research needs.
Highly sensitive detection: Utilizing cutting-edge instruments like Agilent 7890A GC-FID and Thermo Scientific Q Exactive Orbitrap GC-MS, we achieve detection limits as low as 10 picograms per sample, enabling precise measurement even for trace-level fatty acids.
Minimal sample requirements: Our techniques require small sample volumes, with analysis possible from as little as 1 µL of blood plasma or tissue homogenate, making it ideal for rare or limited samples.
High-throughput capacity: Our laboratory is equipped to handle large-scale projects, processing up to 1,000 samples per week, ideal for large clinical trials or food quality assessments.
Fast turnaround time: We deliver results with a typical turnaround time of 2-4 weeks, depending on the complexity of the analysis, ensuring rapid insights for time-sensitive projects.

Accurate fatty acid identification: Using advanced MS2 & MS3 data and a robust fatty acid database, we provide precise identification and quantification of fatty acids, with over 200 distinct fatty acid species covered in our extensive database.
Comprehensive fatty acid database: Our database includes detailed profiles of fatty acids across several categories (C6 to C24) and is continually updated with the latest lipidomic research.
Rigorous quality control: Every project undergoes strict quality control with multiple checkpoints at various stages, ensuring high data reliability and reproducibility. All instruments are calibrated daily for consistent performance.
Tailored solutions for specific research needs: Our experienced team designs customized analysis plans to meet the unique requirements of your study, whether focused on basic fatty acid quantification or in-depth lipidomic profiling.
Expert sample preparation guidance: We provide detailed protocols for fatty acid extraction and preparation, ensuring the highest quality data and minimizing variability in complex samples.
Robust data analysis: Our analytical platform incorporates advanced data processing algorithms for reliable quantification, identification, and statistical analysis, ensuring results are accurate and meaningful for your research.

Fatty Acid Analysis Service: Results and Data Analysis

Fatty Acid Composition

Results we provide:

Breakdown of fatty acids by type (saturated, unsaturated, essential fatty acids).
Quantification of fatty acids by chain length and degree of unsaturation.
Distribution of fatty acids across lipid classes (e.g., phospholipids, triglycerides).

Data analysis:

Visual representation of fatty acid profiles (e.g., bar graphs, pie charts).
Lipid class distribution analysis.

Pie chart of distribution of detected complex lipid subclasses.

Figure from Liu, Biotechnology letters, 2011.

The bar plot shows the relative difference in the detected significantly different lipids

Figure from lipidmaps.

Fatty Acid Quantification and Profiling

Results provided:

Quantitative measurements of fatty acids in your samples.
Profiling of fatty acids based on chain length and functional groups (e.g., hydroxylation).
Detailed lipid class breakdown and fatty acid incorporation.

Data insights:

Comparative analysis to track fatty acid variations across experimental conditions.
Statistical testing (e.g., ANOVA) to identify significant differences.

Comparative Analysis and Statistical Insights

Results provided:

Differential analysis of fatty acid levels across experimental groups (e.g., treated vs. untreated).
Identification of key altered fatty acids that correlate with treatment effects or biological changes.

Data insights:

Correlation analysis between fatty acids and lipid classes.
Pathway enrichment to link fatty acid changes with biological processes.

Lipidome Data Analysis Workflow Workflow of Lipidome Data Analysis

Explore our Lipidomics Solutions brochure to learn more about our comprehensive lipidomics analysis platform.

Download Brochure

What Our Fatty Acid Analysis Used For

Metabolic Research

Understanding lipid metabolism and metabolic disorders by analyzing fatty acid profiles and their role in energy production and storage.

Disease Research

Identifying fatty acid biomarkers linked to diseases like cardiovascular conditions, cancer, and neurodegenerative disorders.

Nutrition and Diet

Studying the effects of dietary fats on health and their role in preventing diseases through detailed fatty acid composition analysis.

Inflammation and Cell Signaling

Investigating the involvement of fatty acids in inflammatory responses and cellular signaling pathways relevant to disease processes.

Drug Development

Monitoring fatty acid changes in response to treatments to assess drug efficacy and identify biomarkers for therapeutic targets.

Environmental Studies

Assessing the impact of environmental factors, such as pollution or dietary changes, on fatty acid composition in organisms.

Sample Requirements for Fatty Acid Analysis Solutions

Sample Type	Sample Amount	Preparation	Recommended Storage	Additional Notes
Blood Plasma	1–5 µL	Centrifuge to separate plasma	–80°C or Liquid Nitrogen	Avoid contamination with lipids.
Serum	1–5 µL	Centrifuge to separate serum	–80°C or Liquid Nitrogen	Store immediately after collection.
Tissues	10–100 mg	Homogenize in cold solvent (e.g., methanol)	–80°C or Liquid Nitrogen	Fresh tissue preferred.
Cell Lysates	50–100 µL	Lyse cells in cold buffer or solvent	–80°C or Liquid Nitrogen	No protease inhibitors.
Plasma/Serum Extracts	1–5 µL	Filter and extract using lipid extraction protocols	–80°C or Liquid Nitrogen	Follow recommended extraction protocols.
Food Samples	50–100 mg	Homogenize in cold solvent (e.g., chloroform/methanol)	–80°C or Liquid Nitrogen	Avoid contamination during processing.
Milk/Other Body Fluids	50–100 µL	Centrifuge and collect supernatant	–80°C or Liquid Nitrogen	Ensure no microbial contamination.
Fecal Samples	50–100 mg	Homogenize with solvent for lipid extraction	–80°C or Liquid Nitrogen	Quick processing is recommended.

FAQs for Fatty Acid Analysis Service

Can fatty acid analysis detect isomers and derivatives?

Yes, both GC-FID and GC-MS methods allow for the detection and quantification of fatty acid isomers and derivatives. GC-MS, in particular, offers high specificity for identifying individual fatty acids, including those with structural variations like double bonds or hydroxy groups, as well as any oxidation products or trans isomers.

Can fatty acid analysis be performed on complex samples like food or environmental specimens?

Yes, we can analyze fatty acids in a wide variety of complex samples, including food products, oils, and environmental specimens (e.g., water, soil, and organisms). Proper sample extraction methods are crucial to ensure reliable fatty acid profiling, and we provide specific protocols for these types of samples to ensure the best results.

How long will it take to receive my results?

The typical turnaround time for fatty acid analysis is between 2-4 weeks, depending on the complexity of the analysis and the number of samples. If you have urgent timelines, we offer expedited services, and our team will work with you to meet your deadlines without compromising quality.

Publications

White matter lipid alterations during aging in the rhesus monkey brain. GeroScience, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11357-024-01353-3
Characterization of Dnajc12 knockout mice, a model of hypodopaminergia. bioRxiv, 2024. https://doi.org/10.1101/2024.07.06.602343
Annexin A2 modulates phospholipid membrane composition upstream of Arp2 to control angiogenic sprout initiation. The FASEB Journal, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1096/fj.202201088R
Lipid Membrane Engineering for Biotechnology (Doctoral dissertation, Aston University). Lipid Membrane Engineering for Biotechnology, 2023. https://doi.org/10.48780/publications.aston.ac.uk.00046663
Multi‐omics identify xanthine as a pro‐survival metabolite for nematodes with mitochondrial dysfunction. EMBO Journal, 2019. https://doi.org/10.15252/embj.201899558

Reference

Liu, Jianmin, et al. "Δ 6-Desaturase from Mortierella alpina: cDNA cloning, expression, and phylogenetic analysis." Biotechnology letters 33 (2011): 1985-1991.

* Our services can only be used for research purposes and Not for clinical use.

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