title: Qualitative characterization of a transesterification product of coconut oil by FIA-APCI-MS.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this work was the qualitative characterization of a recently transesterification product obtained from the coconut oil in the presence of polyglycerol-6 to produce a new PEG-free secondary surfactant. The purpose of a secondary surfactant is to reduce the harshness of a skin cleanser.
  
  
  METHODS
  The transesterification product was qualitatively characterized in our laboratory by flow injection analysis-atmospheric pressure chemical ionization-mass spectrometry (FIA-APCI-MS). The mass spectrum of the transesterification product was compared to those of the starting materials (polyglycerol and coconut oil).
  
  
  RESULTS
  The analyses highlighted the disappearance of the starting oil peaks and the appearance of new peaks assignable to the reaction products, mainly corresponding to diesters of polyglycerol. Additionally, peaks of unreacted polyglycerol are present as well as peaks of cyclization products derived from the polyglycerol starting material.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The development of this fast and easy analytical method, requesting only few minutes to be performed, represents a very useful tool for the characterization of transesterification products during the quality control of batches under production.
authors: School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Via S. Agostino 1, 62032, Camerino, Italy.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Cortese
authors: School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Via S. Agostino 1, 62032, Camerino, Italy.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Ricciutelli
authors: School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Via S. Agostino 1, 62032, Camerino, Italy.
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Censi
authors: School of Pharmacy, University of Camerino, Via S. Agostino 1, 62032, Camerino, Italy.
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Di Martino
mesh_terms: D000074263:Coconut Oil; D004951:Esterification; D013058:Mass Spectrometry / Q000379:methods*; D010938:Plant Oils / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D010938:Plant Oils; D000074263:Coconut Oil
keywords: MASS spectroscopy; chemical analysis; polymers/surfactants