Solid-phase extraction and gas chromatographic analysis of phenolic compounds in virgin olive oil

A careful investigation on the potential application of solid phase extract ion (SPE)-gas chromatography procedure in the analysis of phenol compounds in virgin olive oils was carried out. In doped refined olive oil samples a comparison between liquid/liquid and SPE extraction evidenced higher recove ry when the C-18 sorbent phase was employed whereas, in the case of total s uppression of residual sylanolic group (C-18 (EC).) only contradictory data was obtained. The same procedures were carried out on 10 genuine samples o f virgin olive oil. As observed with the standards, C-18 sorbent phase gave higher values compared to C-18 (Ec) and the liquid/liquid extraction proce dures. Satisfactory results were obtained in the detection of ligstroside a glycon but for the oleuropein aglycon the quantitative is not completely re liable for the overlap of some unknown no-phenol compounds. (C) 2001 Elsevi er Science Ltd. All rights reserved.