Applications on thermostable polar capillary GC columns

Abstract

The composition, the effect of processing and storage, and the overall quality of food lipids can be evaluated by gas chromatography (GC). GC analyses are carried out on non-polar or polar capillary columns, which separate the various lipid components according to their polarity and boiling points. However, there are components with high-boiling points that require higher temperatures in order to be better resolved. Thermostable polar GC columns with a relatively low column bleeding, can be used for this scope. These columns generate GC traces with different separation characteristics, which can lead to the identification of components that cannot be completely resolved with non-polar GC columns. Thermostable polar GC columns are suitable for the separation of different lipid classes and can be utilised for a fast screening of the total unsaponifiable matter of the oil or lipid extract. A series of examples for the analysis of food lipids with thermostable polar GC columns, are here described.