An efficient approach to eliminate steryl ethers and miscellaneous esters/ketones for gas chromatographic analysis of alkenones and alkenoates.

Long-chain alkenones (LCAs) and alkenoates (LCEs) are highly valuable biomarkers for paleotemperature reconstructions. A major problem, however, for accurate quantification of these compounds using gas chromatography (GC) is co-elution with steryl ethers, wax esters, saturated ketones and other numerous mid-polarity compounds frequently encountered in marginal marine and lake sediments. Co-elution during GC separation is prevalent, particularly if the full homologous series of alkenones and alkenoates are to be analyzed.

Discovery of alkenones with variable methylene-interrupted double bonds: implications for the biosynthetic pathway.

Alkenones (C -C ) are highly specific biomarkers produced by certain haptophyte algae in ocean and lacustrine environments and have been widely used for paleoclimate studies. Unusual shorter-chain alkenones (SCA; e.g.