A Packed Column Gas Liquid Chromatographic Method For Characterization And Determination Of Unsaponifiable Matter In Oils

Abstract

A packed column GLC method for the detection and determination of the components of unsaponifiable matter in oils is described. Squalene, 8 -tocopherol and short chain hydrocarbons with up to 26 carbon atoms are determined by direct GLC analysis of the total unsaponifiable matter. Sterols are isolated from the unsaponifiable matter as digitonides and determined according to the standard method of the AOAC(1982), after a prior chromatographing of the fraction containing the remaining components, obtusifoliol, n-triacontane, A7-stigmasterol, cycloartenol and a-tocopherol are determined. Citrostadienol and 24-methylenecycloartanol are quantified by GLC analysis of the solution containing their acetate derivatives. Data obtained by the present method for detection and determination of unsaponifiable matter in a number of oil brands agree fairly well with their known composition.