LIQUID-CHROMATOGRAPHIC METHOD FOR THE CONCURRENT ANALYSIS OF SUCROSE POLYESTER, VITAMIN-A PALMITATE, AND BETA-CAROTENE IN MARGARINE

A liquid chromatographic method is described for the concurrent analys is of sucrose polyester (SPE), vitamin A and beta-carotene in margarin e. The SPE and vitamins are separated from the acylglycerol by gel per meation chromatography (GPC). The GPC system is equipped with a refrac tive index and ultraviolet (UV) detector (313 nm) to monitor the peak elution. Following collection, the vitamins and SPE are analyzed by C- 18 reverse phase chromatography. A ternary gradient of acetonitrile, m ethylene chloride and isopropanol with evaporative light scattering de tection is used for SPE analysis. Vitamin A and beta-carotene are quan titated after isocratic elution with acetonitrile/methylene chloride/m ethanol (700/300/2, v/v/v) as mobile phase and detection at 313 nm and 436 nm, respectively. Well resolved, interference free chromatograms were obtained for each analyte.