Identification of Fatty Acids and Triacylglycerols in Schisandrae chinensis fructus Oil

Abstract Schisandrae chinensis fructus (Wuweizi) contains many triacylglycerols ( TAGs ). Therefore, it is inevitable that these TAGs will be part of Chinese medical preparations of Schisandrae chinensis fructus . It is important to identify TAGs in Schisandrae chinensis fructus . Fatty acids in Schisandrae chinensis fructus oil were identified by gas chromatography−mass spectrometry ( GC−MS ) after transesterification. TAGs were determined by liquid chromatography−mass spectrometry ( LC−MS ) and confirmed by high-resolution Fourier transform-ion cyclotron resonance-mass spectrometry ( FT−ICR−MS ). Seven kinds of fatty acids were detected in Schisandrae chinensis fructus oil of which linoleic acid ( L ) and oleic acid ( O ) accounted for 93%. Also, 7 TAGs were recognized in the oil. LLL, OLL, OOL and PLL were the main components ( P corresponds to palmitic acid). The LLL composed approximately half of the oil of Schisandrae chinensis fructus by mass. The composition of fatty acids and TAGs in Schisandrae chinensis fructus was determined by GC−MS, LC−MS and FT−ICR−MS.