Determination of ent-kaurene in subcutaneous fat of Iberian pigs by gas chromatography multi-stage mass spectrometry with the aim to differentiate between intensive and extensive fattening systems

• Published in: Analytica chimica acta 2008-08, Vol.624 (1), p.107-112
• Main Authors: Rivas, Mónica Narváez, Rios, José Julian, Arteaga, Jesús F., Quilez, José F., Barrero, Alejandro F., León-Camacho, Manuel
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analytical chemistry; Animal Feed; Animals; Chemistry; Chromatographic methods and physical methods associated with chromatography; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid - methods; Diterpenes, Kaurane - analysis; Ent-kaurene; Exact sciences and technology; Gas chromatographic methods; Gas chromatography; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry - methods; Iberian pig; Ion trap; Meat - analysis; Multi-stage mass spectrometry; Other chromatographic methods; Reproducibility of Results; Spectrometric and optical methods; Subcutaneous fat; Subcutaneous Fat - chemistry; Swine
• ISSN: 0003-2670; 1873-4324
• DOI: 10.1016/j.aca.2008.06.035

This work presents a gas chromatography multi-stage mass spectrometry (GC–MS 3) method for the determination of ent-kaurene in subcutaneous fat of Iberian pig, present in adipose tissue of animals due to pasture ingestion (extensive fattening system). The method comprises a saponification and a liquid–liquid extraction of the unsaponifiable fraction, followed by an isolation of the hydrocarbon fraction by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and analysis by GC–MS 3 (ion trap) with electronic ionization. The GC–MS 3 analysis allows the isolation and characterization of specific fragments from the original (MS 1) molecular structure, and particularly, those fragments originated from the precursor ion ( m/ z = 229) characteristic of ent-kaurene. The MS/MS product fragment m/ z = 213 is used as a further precursor fragment giving rise to a MS 3 spectrum specific for ent-kaurene. The limit of detection of the MS 3 technique is lower than 0.2 μg kg −1 and a linear regression has been found between 0.2 and 112 μg kg −1. This method is applicable for the determination of the fattening system of the Iberian pig.