Advances in supercritical fluid chromatography for lipid analysis and purification – A review of the past decade

This review explores the advances in Supercritical Fluid Chromatography (SFC) for the analysis and purification of lipids achieved over the past decade. Lipidomics has become an essential tool in numerous fields such as biology and food science . Compared to liquid and gas chromatography , SFC, which utilizes supercritical CO₂ as a mobile phase , offers faster analysis, reduced solvent use, and improved separation of complex lipidic substances. This review synthesizes findings from over 80 studies, evaluating various stationary phases, retention mechanisms, and optimized conditions for both lipid class and intra-class separations. It provides detailed comparisons of columns for different lipid types, such as fatty acids, glycerolipids , and phospholipids , and explores preparative-scale applications for bioactive lipid purification, including omega-3 fatty acids and sterols. By consolidating this knowledge, this review will serve as a practical guide for chemists to select optimal columns and conditions without extensive testing, thereby streamlining method development and reducing costs.