Metabolomics
Capture the direct signals of phenotypic change through precise metabolite quantification — a direct readout of physiological status.
Medium & Long-Chain Fatty Acids
Medium-long chain fatty acids (MLCFAs) span C8–C24, including medium-chain members (caprylic C8, capric C10) and long-chain members (palmitic C16, stearic C18, arachidonic C20). They are core energy and signaling molecules, combining rapid medium-chain metabolism with long-chain membrane-building and bioactive synthesis; their balance relates to health and growth. In medicine they regulate glucolipid metabolism, inflammation and immunity (obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease); in agriculture they are key oil-crop quality traits. More complex than short-chain or ultra-long-chain fatty acids, MLCFAs are a hot topic across metabolomics, nutrition and molecular biology, applied in diagnosis, breeding and functional foods.
Principle Introduction
MLCFA function and detection rest on structure: absorption—medium chain (C8–C12) absorbs directly without emulsification for rapid energy; long chain (C14–C24) forms micelles for storage or anabolism; regulation—activates PPARs, mediates inflammatory signaling, stabilizes membranes; detection—chromatography separates structures, MS identifies and quantifies them precisely.
Literature
In "Camel milk peptides alleviate hyperglycemia by regulating gut microbiota and metabolites in type 2 diabetic mice" (Journal of Nutrition), GC-MS identified six major MLCFAs in camel milk (C10:0, C12:0, C16:0, C18:1, C18:2, C20:4), with medium-chain fraction 23.5%—higher than cow milk. In T2DM mice, 8-week MLCFA intervention lowered fasting glucose and HbA1c and raised insulin sensitivity; hepatic PPARγ, ACOX1 and CPT1A rose while TNF-α/IL-6 fell. C12:0 and C18:1 directly bound PPARγ, confirming MLCFAs as the key hypoglycemic basis via the PPARγ pathway.
Sample Requirements
≥500 μL, −80°C sealed, dry ice; note type/anticoagulant
plant ≥2 g, animal ≥1 g, food ≥5 g, microbe ≥0.5 g, −80°C, dry ice; note site/treatment
≥200 μL or ≥100 mg, −20°C dark, ice pack; note source/extraction
≥1 g, −80°C, dry ice; avoid contamination, note time/storage
Deliverables
MLCFA raw data
LC-MS/GC-MS raw chromatograms, peak-area data, RT and characteristic-ion match reports.
Data analysis
MLCFA species identification, quantitative table (mg/g or μg/mL), differential vs standards/control, composition-ratio plots.
Technical docs
pretreatment optimization, LC-MS parameters (column program, mobile phase, ionization), interpretation guide and experimental-design suggestions.
FAQ
Incomplete cleanup (add SPE/saponification), dirty column (clean/replace), impure mobile phase, or mistuned MS—optimize ionization/collision.
Inconsistent source, handling or instrument state—standardize sampling/handling, calibrate instruments, run parallel samples.
