Ceramide analysis utilizing gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Suitable analytical methods are a prerequisite of a detailed investigation of ceramides. Therefore, a new gas chromatograph-mass spectrometry method w ith electron impact ionization was developed. Samples have been prepared fo r gas chromatography by the formation of volatile trimethylsilyl derivative s. The method provides high separation efficiency, sensitivity and specific ity. Mass spectra facilitate the structural characterization of each specie s, because certain fragments indicate the fatty acid as well as the sphingo id base moiety. In a 30-mm run even very similar ceramides are baseline sep arated. The method is compared to a recently published assay for liquid chr omatography-mass spectrometry. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights re served.