Lipidomic analysis of fats and oils – a lot more than just omega-3

Abstract

Edible oils and fats are among the most abundant cooking ingredients in the world, and are an important part of a healthy balanced diet, especially if they are high in omega-6 and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. Rather than just the total fatty acid compositions, the analysis of individual lipid species within these oils and fats has become increasingly important. Within the past decade several mass spectrometric lipidomics methods have been adapted and applied to the analysis of edible oils and fats. These methodologies are vital for the analysis of a plethora of lipid species that will be important for numerous health and sustainability issues in the future.