title: Analysis of phytosterols in extra-virgin olive oil by nano-liquid chromatography.
abstract: In this work the applicability of nano-liquid chromatography (nano-LC) was evaluated for the determination of phytosterols in extra-virgin olive oil samples. These compounds represent a minor part of lipids in vegetable oils, but their quantification can be useful to establish oil origin and to reveal intentional adulterations. The analysis of five main sterols, specifically brassicasterol, stigmasterol, campesterol, cholesterol and beta-sitosterol, was performed in a laboratory-assembled nano-LC system coupled with a UV detector. The separation of all compounds was obtained in about 20 min, employing a capillary column packed with a C18-RP (sub-2 microm particles) stationary phase for 15 cm. Methanol only was used as mobile phase. The simple method developed and optimized was validated in terms of repeatability, linearity, limit of detection and limit of quantification (0.78 and 1.56 microg/mL, respectively) achieving good results. After this, it was applied to the determination of phytosterols in extra-virgin olive oil samples. Isolation of phytosterols was obtained by solid-phase extraction, after saponification and liquid-liquid extraction of the unsaponified fraction with diethyl ether. Recovery tests were performed and values between 90% and 103%, with RSDs within 5%, were obtained. Moreover the nano-LC system was coupled with a mass spectrometer for an accurate identification of phytosterols.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Chemical Methodologies, National Research Council, Area della Ricerca di Roma I, Via Salaria Km 29,300, 00015 Monterotondo Scalo, Rome, Italy.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rocco
authors.forename: Salvatore
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Fanali
mesh_terms: D002853:Chromatography, Liquid / Q000379:methods*; D005504:Food Analysis / Q000379:methods*; D016014:Linear Models; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000379:methods*; D000069463:Olive Oil; D010840:Phytosterols / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000737:chemistry*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D052616:Solid Phase Extraction; D021241:Spectrometry, Mass, Electrospray Ionization
chemical_list: D000069463:Olive Oil; D010840:Phytosterols; D010938:Plant Oils