Quantitative Method for Analysis of Lipids by LC-HRMS and Fatty Acid Methyl Ester by GC-FID in Macauba (Acrocomia aculeata) Oils

Macauba (<i>Acrocomia aculeata</i>) is a promising source of vegetable oils with distinct applications for its pulp and seed fractions. This study presents the first comprehensive quantitative analysis of eleven commercial macauba oils available in the Brazilian market, using validated methods of GC-FID and LC-HRMS. The analysis revealed significant variability among samples. Control pulp oils (PCCs) were characterized by the predominance of oleic acid (C18:1) and palmitic acid (C16:0) methyl esters, and TG 54:3 was the major lipid species, reaching up to 12.11 g 100 g oil^-1. For control seed oils (SCCs), the profile was dominated by lauric acid (C12:0) and oleic acid methyl ester; TG 36:0 was the most abundant lipid, which reached concentrations of 49.20 g 100 g oil^-1. Among commercial samples, PC3 followed the expected pulp oil profile, whereas PC4 showed deviations. Others commercial samples (PC2, PC5, SC3, SC4, SC5) deviated significantly from expected profiles, showing high levels of linoleic acid (C18:2), and predominance of TG 54:6, with concentrations reaching 61.74 g 100 g oil^-1. The integrated GC-FID and LC-HRMS approach provides robust, sensitive, and discriminative analysis of FAMEs and lipid composition of macauba oil samples. These methodologies are essential for quality control in the food and bioproduct sectors, ensuring the chemical integrity of macauba commercial oils.