Infrared spectroscopy is a suitable spectroscopic method to differentiate geometric Z and E isomers of unsaturated compounds. A direct-deposition Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR), coupled to a gas chromatograph, was used successfully to analyze with a high sensitivity traces of C18:1 fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) isomers. It could also conclusively distinguish between isomers of conjugated diunsaturated FAME. The achievable sensitivity of this direct-deposition device makes possible accurate FAME mixture analyses that are not currently attainable with the more conventional light-pipe interface. FIG. 2. Gas chromatography/direct-deposition/Fourier transform infrared spectrum of 10 ng of methyl elaidate (A) and of 100 ng of methyl oleate (B). Wavenumber (cm −1 ) Absorbance Absorbance Wavenumber (cm −1 ) A B 104 E. SÉMON ET AL. JAOCS, Vol. 75, no. 2 (1998) FIG. 3. Gas chromatography/direct-deposition/Fourier transform infrared spectrum of a trans,trans-octadecadienoic acid methyl ester (A) and a cis,trans-octadecadienoic acid methyl ester (B) from a human milk sample. Wavenumber (cm −1 ) Wavenumber (cm −1 ) Absorbance Absorbance A B