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Sperm whale oil analysis by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry
Author(s) -
Spencer G. F.,
Tallent W. H.
Publication year - 1973
Publication title -
journal of the american oil chemists' society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.512
H-Index - 117
eISSN - 1558-9331
pISSN - 0003-021X
DOI - 10.1007/bf02640490
Subject(s) - wax , chemistry , mass spectrometry , chromatography , gas chromatography , double bond , carbon number , gas chromatography–mass spectrometry , elution , carbon chain , degree of unsaturation , carbon fibers , wax ester , long chain , organic chemistry , alkyl , materials science , polymer science , composite number , composite material
Abstract Gas liquid chromatography of winterized sperm oil showed that its wax esters with even carbon numbers range from C 24 to C 42 and are present in quantities resembling a normal distribution curve with C 34 as the mean. Between these even‐numbered wax esters, ones with odd chain lengths were eluted. Triglycerides, similarly present in a normal distribution pattern, ranged from C 42 to C 58 and also included traces of odd chain species. The component acids and alcohols were analyzed by gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry, and double bond positions in the monoenoid components were established. Branched chain and odd chain constituents, both saturated and unsaturated, were detected among both alcohols and acids. These moieties, when combined with those having even chains, are responsible for the wax esters and triglycerides with odd carbon numbers.