Non‐polar lipids characterization of Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) seed by comprehensive two‐dimensional gas chromatography with flame ionization/mass spectrometry detection and non‐aqueous reversed‐phase liquid chromatography with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization mass spectrometry detection

Abstract

A chemical characterization of major lipid components, namely, triacylglycerols, fatty acids and the unsaponifiable fraction, in a Quinoa seed lipids sample is reported. To tackle such a task, non-aqueous reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry detection was employed. The latter was interfaced with atmospheric pressure chemical ionization for the analysis of triacylglycerols. The main triacylglycerols (>10%) were represented by OLP, OOL and OLL (P = palmitoyl, O = oleoyl, L = linoleoyl); the latter was present in the oil sample at the highest percentage (18.1%). Furthermore, fatty acid methyl esters were evaluated by gas chromatography with flame ionization detection. 89% of the total fatty acids was represented by unsaturated fatty acid methyl esters with the greatest percentage represented by linoleic and oleic acids accounting for approximately 48 and 28%, respectively. An extensive characterization of the unsaponifiable fraction of Quinoa seed lipids was performed for the first time, by using comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography with dual mass spectrometry/flame ionization detection. Overall, 66 compounds of the unsaponifiable fraction were tentatively identified, many constituents of which (particularly sterols) were confirmed by using gas chromatography with high-resolution time-of-flight mass spectrometry.

Yield and Nutritional Characterization of Thirteen Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) Varieties Grown in North-West Europe—Part I

“…The nutritional quality of the fat fraction is defined by its fatty acid composition. However, the triacylglycerol (TAG) composition will determine the physical and functional properties of the fat [41]. Table 4 and Table S6 give the distribution of the different TAGs in the fat fraction of the quinoa varieties.…”

“…These values were in agreement with the ranges reported in the present study. Fanali et al [41] identified LLO (18.10 area %), OOL (15.30 area %), OLP (12.93 area %), LLP (8.71 area %), LLL (6.22 area %), and OLLn (5.91 area %) as predominant TAGs. The reported levels of OOL, OLP, and OLLn were higher compared to those described in the present study, while the LLL and LLLn levels were lower [41].…”

Quinoa Secondary Metabolites and Their Biological Activities or Functions

“…Four tetracyclic triterpenoids including two nortriterpenoids citrostadienol (129) and gramisterol (130) have been isolated from quinoa seeds [261]. Citrostadienol (129) showed anticomplementary activity [262], and gramisterol (130) showed anti-cancer activity [8].…”

“…Seven sterols were identified among the quinoa lipids, namely cholesterol (147), campesterol (160), ∆ 7 -campesterol (161), ∆ 5 -avenasterol (172), β-sitosterol (176), stigmasterol (181), and ∆ 7 -stigmasterol (182) [285]. Eleven 4,4-desmethylsterols were assigned, with ∆ 7 -avenasterol (173), β-sitosterol (176), and ∆ 7 -stigmastenol (180) being the most abundant (8.7, 27.2, and 51.3% of total sterols, respectively) [261].…”

“…The main C 29 -steroids in quinoa included avenasterol (172/173), sitosterol (176), stigmasterol (181), and their derivatives. They were all identified in the lipid extract of quinoa seeds [261]. Their biological activities are listed in Table 21, and the structures are shown in Figure 24.…”