Determination of fatty acid composition in biological matrices is best performed after transmethylation of the sample extract by GC-FID or GC-MS. The method detects and quantifies fatty acid methyl esters (FAMES - even numbered fatty acids occurring in eucariotic cells) and detects and calculates the area of bacterial acid methyl esters (BAMES - odd numbered fatty acids occurring in bacteria).

GENERAL INFORMATION
NUMBER OF SAMPLES: 30-70 samples (analysis of fewer or more samples has to be discussed with SMC).
MATRICES: Plasma, serum and CSF (other matrices have to be communicated with SMC).

INCLUDED IN THE FATTY ACIDS ANALYSIS

• Sample preparation (eg. Folch extraction, with chloroform/methanol phase separation or methanol/water extraction)
• Analysis by GC-MS TOF
• Quality assurance of the analysis
• Targeted data analysis for FAMES and BAMES
• Generation of a table of relevant unknown integrated peak areas (annotated with retention time/index and mass)
• Quantification of FAMES
• Initial statistical evaluation of the generated data according to the question asked in the project (multivariate and univariate data analysis)
• Initial identification of unknown compounds deemed relevant for the project (around 10-20 metabolites)
• Storage of pooled sample for possible future extended identification (extended identification is not included)
• Report and feedback
• Archiving of raw data
• SMC will not be listed as co-authors on a future publication but will be acknowledged