USE OF CAPILLARY GAS-CHROMATOGRAPHY FOR DETERMINING THE HYDROGENATIONLEVEL OF EDIBLE OILS

Capillary gas chromatography is nowadays a widely used chromatographic method, used in particular for its excellent resolution. A new altern ative method for the hydrogenation of edible oils is being developed. For determining the rate of hydrogenation and the level of isomerisati on development during the hydrogenation process capillary gas chromato graphy has been chosen as the most suitable method for analyses. Fatty acids from partially hydrogenated oils/triglycerides have been conver ted into methyl esters. By using special capillary columns, Supelco SP 2380 and SP 2560, not only the methyl esters of individual fatty acid s, but also the geometrical and positional isomers have been separated .