Preparation of conjugated linoleic acid and identification of its isomers

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a kind of fatty acid with physiological activities and potential application prospect. A synthesis method of conjugated linoleic acid and a purification technology were studied. CLA was prepared and purified by urea-complexation and conjugation using safflower oil as raw material. The purity of CLA and total recovery of the product was more than 95% and 48%, respectively. The main isomers produced in alkali-catalyzed conjugation were identified by gas chromatography (GC) linked to mass spectrometry (MS) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The total amount of the two main isomers (9cis, 11trans-and 10trans, 12cis-CLA) determined by GC was more than 90% of the product.