Determination of fucoxanthin isomers in microalgae (Isochrysis sp.) by high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode‐array detector multistage mass spectrometry coupled with positive electrospray ionization. (15th April 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Crupi, Pasquale; Toci, Aline Theodore; Mangini, Silvio; Wrubl, Federico; Rodolfi, Liliana; Tredici, Mario R.; Coletta, Antonio; Antonacci, Donato
• Is Part Of: Rapid communications in mass spectrometry. Volume 27:Number 9(2013)
• Page Start: 1027
• Page End: 1035
• Publication Date: 2013-04-15
• Subjects: Mass spectrometry -- Periodicals; 543.65
• DOI: 10.1002/rcm.6531
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0951-4198

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="rcm6531-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>RATIONALE</title> <p>Due to their health benefits, there is growing interest in the production and use of carotenoids from natural sources, e.g. microalgae. To date, only <italic>Haematococcus pluvialis</italic> and <italic>Dunaliella</italic>, that accumulate, respectively, astaxanthin and β‐carotene in large quantities, are grown commercially. However, interest is also being focused on other xanthophylls, such as (<italic>all‐E</italic>)‐fucoxanthin characterized by anti‐obesity and anti‐carcinogenic effects. In this regard, rigorous chemical and analytical techniques following preparative isolation of components are needed to unequivocally identify individual carotenoids in microalgae.</p> </sec> <sec id="rcm6531-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>METHODS</title> <p>The carotenoid profile of <italic>Isochrysis</italic> sp. biomass, produced in closed photobioreactors, was determined by reversed‐phase C<sub>30</sub> (RP‐30) high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with diode‐array detector mass spectrometry using positive electrospray ionization (HPLC/DAD‐MS/ESI<sup>+</sup>) analysis. Additionally, multistage mass spectrometry (MS<italic><sup>n</sup></italic>) analyses, together with fine structures of the UV–vis spectra, were used to differentiate structural and geometrical isomers.</p> </sec> <sec id="rcm6531-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>RESULTS</title> <p>This technique allowed the simultaneous determination of geometrical, isomers of fucoxanthin (<italic>all</italic>‐<italic>E</italic>‐fucoxanthin, 13<italic>Z</italic>‐, 13'<italic>Z</italic>‐ and 9'<italic>Z</italic>‐fucoxanthin), diatoxanthin and 5, 8‐epoxydiadinoxanthin diasteroisomers (R/S). The analyzed extracts contained fucoxanthin isomers as the major carotenoids and, in particular, (<italic>all‐E</italic>)‐fucoxanthin was the main geometrical isomer (~̴ 85%) found at a concentration of 17 mg/g of the lyophilized biomass.</p> </sec> <sec id="rcm6531-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>CONCLUSIONS</title> <p>Considering the high content of fucoxanthin in <italic>Isochrysis</italic> sp. biomass, the microalga could be proposed as a source of this compound for nutraceutical and pharmaceutical applications. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.</p> </sec> </abstract>