Development of a three-steps derivatization assay for the localization of double bond in monounsaturated monomers of poly-beta-hydroxyalkanoates by GC–MS

A new gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) method for the localization of double bond in monounsaturated 3-hydroxyalkenoic acids monomers has been developed. A three steps derivation assay was used including a methanolysis, then acetylation and dimethyldisulfide (DMDS) addition to alkene groups. Electron impact GC–MS analysis of such derivatives offers characteristic fragments allowing the unambiguous determination of double bond position in side chain. This novel method is well-suited for the routine analysis of poly-beta-hydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), and was used to characterize monounsaturated monomers in both 3-hydroxyalkenoic acids standards as well as in mcl-PHAs and poly(3-hydroxyoctanoate-co-3-hydroxyundecenoate) (PHOU) produced by bacterial strain Pseudomonas guezennei from glucose or a mixture of sodium octanoate plus 10-undecenoic acid, respectively.

► Localization of double bond in monounsaturated 3-hydroxyalkenoic acids by GC–MS. ► The new method implies methanolysis, then acetylation and thiomethylation. ► The method was successfully applied to bacterial poly-beta-hydroxyalcanoates.