Quantitative profiling and pattern analysis of triacylglycerol species in Arabidopsis seeds by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

摘要: Plant triacylglycerols (TAGs), or vegetable oils, provide approximately 25% of dietary calories to humans and are becoming an increasingly important source renewable bioenergy industrial feedstocks. TAGs assembled by multiple enzymes in the endoplasmic reticulum from building blocks that include invariable glycerol backbone variable fatty acyl chains. It remains a challenge elucidate mechanism synthesis hundreds different TAG species planta. One reason is lack efficient analytical approach quantifying individual molecular species. Here we report rapid quantitative profiling for Arabidopsis seeds based on electrospray ionization tandem mass spectrometry with direct infusion neutral loss scans. The levels 93 species, identified their components, were determined seeds. Quantitative pattern analyses revealed assembly machinery preferentially produces one elongated acid. importance selectivity oil was consistent observation mutant overexpressing patatin-like phospholipase had enhanced seed content acids. This should facilitate investigations aimed at understanding biochemical mechanisms metabolism plants.