Thermal degradation of ceramides as studied by mass spectrometry and vibrational spectroscopy

The degradation of ceramides type IV induced by thermal treatment up to 140 °C was studied by using electrospray mass spectrometry, Fourier transform infrared photoacoustic spectroscopy and Fourier transform Raman spectrocopy. At temperatures above 125 °C structural changes such as cleavage of the CC bond, destruction of the amide structure and variations of the hydrogen bonds were observed in the head group of ceramides type IV. The mass spectrometry studies revealed the formation of free α-hydroxy fatty acids due to heat treatment. Degradation of ceramide III was not evident in the temperature range studied.