Analysis and classification of common vegetable oils.
The analysis of fatty acids from common vegetable oils was investigated for application to forensic casework. A base-catalyzed transesterification of the fatty acids to fatty acid methyl esters using tetramethylammonium hydroxide was simple, rapid, straightforward and inexpensive. Canola, corn, olive, peanut, safflower, soybean and sunflower oils were able to be classified based on their fatty acid methyl ester profiles. Using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, the detection limits for canola, corn, olive, peanut and safflower oils were determined to be 0.4 mg/mL or less and 0.2 mg/mL or less for soybean and sunflower oils.
Pitts
Steven J
SJ
R.C.M.P. Forensic Laboratory, 15707-118 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada T5V 1B7.
Thomson
Cameron I
CI
D003314:Corn Oil / Q000032:analysis; D005227:Fatty Acids / Q000032:analysis; D005554:Forensic Medicine; D008401:Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; D006368:Helianthus; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D000074241:Peanut Oil; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000032:analysis* / Q000145:classification*; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; D012450:Safflower Oil / Q000032:analysis; D013024:Soybean Oil / Q000032:analysis; D000074242:Sunflower Oil
D005227:Fatty Acids; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D000074241:Peanut Oil; D010938:Plant Oils; D000644:Quaternary Ammonium Compounds; D000074242:Sunflower Oil; D013024:Soybean Oil; D012450:Safflower Oil; D003314:Corn Oil; C027917:tetramethylammonium