Detection of hazelnut oil in virgin olive oil by assessment of free sterols and triacylglycerols

J AOAC Int. 2001 Sep-Oct;84(5):1534-41.

Abstract

Free sterols were evaluated as factors for discriminating between genuine virgin olive oil and hazelnut-mixed virgin olive oil. Numeric analyses of the results amplified the differences between groups. The application of this method to virgin olive oil samples and their mixtures with 10% hazelnut oil distinguished between genuine and nongenuine virgin olive oil with statistical certainty. Triacylglycerol analysis was tested for the same purpose by using parameter deltaECN42, but although it possessed a discriminating capacity, it alone could not distinguish the aforementioned groups with sufficient certainty. Free delta7-sterols data were combined with deltaECN42 data into a single discriminating function to improve differentiation and bring more ruggedness, and for detection of low amounts (10%) of hazelnut oil in virgin olive oil. In fact, the values obtained by addition of delta7-sterol data and deltaECN42 data showed a higher discriminating capacity than single parameters. In a single operation the method produced all the oil fractions necessary for analysis of free sterols and triacylglycerols with ECN42. Solid-phase extraction was applied in substitution of traditional chromatography on a silica column.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Chromatography, Gas
  • Chromatography, Thin Layer
  • Fatty Acids / analysis
  • Food Contamination / analysis
  • Methylation
  • Nuts / chemistry*
  • Olive Oil
  • Plant Oils / analysis*
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sterols / analysis*
  • Triglycerides / analysis*

Substances

  • Fatty Acids
  • Olive Oil
  • Plant Oils
  • Sterols
  • Triglycerides