Analysis of non-saponifiable lipids by super-/subcritical-fluid chromatography

Because of the particular properties of carbon dioxide or carbon dioxide/modifier mobile phases, super- or subcritical-fluid chromatography (SFC) can be an alternative to more classical chromatographic methods such as gas chromatography (GC) or high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) for the separation of unsaponifiable lipids. These fluids can also be helpful in the extraction and/or the concentration steps of sterols, tocopherols or carotenoids from complex samples. Supercritical extraction, off-line prefractionation or semi-preparative supercritical fluid chromatography, carried out before the analysis are described. The effects on separation of analytical parameters such as pressure, nature of and modifier percentage or stationary phase nature are also reported. The performance of capillary, packed or capillary packed columns is discussed, as well as the consequences of their use (choice of stationary phases, type of coupled detector). Numerous examples of fine separations are reported.