Rapid detection of docosapentenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid in algae oil by ultra performance liquid chromatography

In order to determine the content of docosapentenoic acid ( DPA) and docosahexaenoic acid ( DHA) in algae oil quickly and efficiently, a rapid ultra- high pressure liquid chromatography ( UPLC) method was developed.The influence of mobile phase, flow rate on the separation of DPA- ME and DHA- ME in algae oil were comprehensively studied.The optimal separation conditions were as follows: a mobile phase consisting of acetonitrile and water ( 80∶20, V/V) with a isocratic elution profile, UV detection wavelength at 205nm, 0.5mL /min of flow rate for mobile phase.On the above conditions, good linearity between response ( peak area) and concentration was found over a concentration range of 10.2⁵10.0μg /mL for DPA- ME, and 11.1 ⁵54.0μg /mL for DHA- ME respectively.And the correlation coefficient of the calibration curve of DPA- ME and DHA- ME was 0.9999.The average recovery rates of DPA-ME and DHA-ME were 99.1% ( RSD = 1.3%) and 100.6% ( RSD = 1.4%) respectively.This method was high- speed, sensitive and with a good reproducibility.It was appropriate for fast detection of DPA and DHA in algae oil.