Determination of coconut oil adulteration with soybean oil by direct infusion electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

Abstract

Coconut oil has several domestic uses and health benefits, which can be used in food, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics products. However, it has been the target of adulteration with lower price oils and fats, such as soybean oil. In this study, a fast, easy and simple methodology was used to detect low quantities of intentionally adulterated coconut oil with soybean oil by direct infusion electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) at different levels (0, 2, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30, 50, 70 and 100%). In the oil industry, intentional adulterations usually occur with the addition of low quantities of soybean oil to coconut oil. Therefore, the suggested ESI-MS method is promising for routine analysis to guarantee the quality control of coconut oil since it is possible to detect adulteration with a minimal of 2% soybean oil addition.