Glyceride composition of processed fats and oils as determined by glass capillary gas chromatography

Refined and bleached fats and oils can be analyzed directly by high‐temperature glass capillary column gas chromatography after derivatization of the fatty acids, mono‐ and diglycerides with BSTFA [(N,O)‐bis(trimethyl silyl) trifluoroacetamide]. The intact glycerides are separated on the basis of volatility to provide characteristic carbon number profiles (CNP). Quantitative information on mono‐, di‐ and triglycerides, as well as free fatty acids, is obtained from a single, rapid separation. Profile values are reported for 13 different processed fats and oils. The analysis performed in the split‐injection mode maintains column integrity after numerous separations, while producing acceptable relative standard deviations.