Select FAME

Select FAME column

Agilent Select FAME GC Columns

Agilent J&W Select FAME columns are specifically engineered to deliver highly optimized cis/trans separations of fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs), with exceptional performance for resolving complex C18 isomer patterns. Tuned for maximum isomer discrimination, this bonded, low-bleed phase combines very high polarity with excellent efficiency, making it ideal for nutritional labeling, food authenticity testing, agricultural lipid research, and any application requiring precise identification of structurally similar fatty acids.

Select FAME columns offer significantly higher thermal stability than traditional non-bonded FAME phases, with isothermal operation up to 275 Â°C and programmed temperatures up to 290 Â°C—a substantial improvement of approximately 50 Â°C. This expanded thermal range enables faster temperature ramps, improved throughput, and enhanced robustness across demanding methods without compromising resolution.

For highly detailed analysis of the complex C18:1 isomer cluster, Select FAME is available in column lengths up to 200 m, providing unparalleled peak capacity for advanced lipid characterization. These columns also feature approximately three times greater sample loadability, improving peak shape, minimizing overload effects, and enhancing resolution when one or more components are present at much higher concentrations. The combination of high polarity, high stability, and high loadability positions Select FAME as a premier solution for laboratories requiring elite-level FAME isomer separations.
Key Definitions â–¸
Select FAME
A highly polar, bonded GC phase engineered for superior cis/trans separation of fatty acid methyl esters, particularly C18 isomers. Select FAME provides enhanced thermal stability and exceptionally high efficiency for detailed lipid profiling.
C18:1 Isomer Cluster
A group of monounsaturated C18 fatty acid methyl esters differing in double-bond positions or configurations. High-resolution separation of these isomers is essential for nutritional, authenticity, and regulatory applications.
Bonded Phase
A stationary phase chemically attached to the silica surface, providing increased thermal stability, lower bleed, and the ability to withstand solvent rinsing—an advantage over traditional non-bonded FAME columns.
Loadability
The maximum amount of sample a column can accommodate before peak distortion occurs. Select FAME offers approximately three times greater loadability than conventional non-bonded phases, improving peak shape and resolution when analytes vary widely in concentration.
Frequently Asked Questions â–¸
Why choose Select FAME over traditional FAME GC columns?
Select FAME combines very high polarity with a bonded, low-bleed phase, providing superior cis/trans separation, greater thermal stability, and higher loadability than many non-bonded FAME columns. This results in better peak shapes, improved robustness, and more reliable FAME profiling over time.
When would I use very long Select FAME columns, such as 100 m or 200 m?
Longer columns (up to 200 m) are ideal for highly detailed separations of complex isomer clusters, especially C18:1 and other polyunsaturated FAMEs. They provide the peak capacity required for advanced lipid research, authenticity testing, and regulatory methods that demand maximum isomer resolution.
How do the higher temperature limits of Select FAME benefit my method?
With isothermal operation up to 275 °C and programmed temperatures up to 290 °C, Select FAME allows faster oven ramps, shorter run times, and improved elution of late-eluting FAMEs. This added thermal headroom also enhances column robustness in demanding, high-throughput environments.
Does increased loadability affect FAME separation quality?
Yes, in a positive way. Select FAME offers roughly three times greater loadability than many non-bonded FAME phases, which helps maintain sharp peak shapes and resolution even when some FAME components are present at much higher concentrations than others in the mixture.