Isolation and identification of unsaturated fatty acid methyl esters from marine micro-algae Original Research Article

In order to study the biological activity of a micro-algae extract rich in fatty acids, the purification and structural identification of two hexadecadienoic methyl esters (16 : 2) and one hexadecatrienoic methyl ester (16 : 3) were performed. The purification of these molecules was carried out by liquid chromatography using a porous graphitic carbon phase. Determination of the chain length, degree and position of unsaturations was achieved by gas chromatography/electron impact mass spectrometer on dimethyloxazoline derivatives. With regard to the double bonds cis or trans isomery was determined by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Structures were confirmed by 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance.