Rapid screening of gutter oils

A new method for direct analysis of edible oils has been developed.

Using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS), the method involves direct sample loading, automated data acquisition and simple data processing, and has been applied to establish a preliminary spectral database of common edible oils.

As different types of edible oils have different MALDI-MS spectral patterns, a sample of edible oil can be authenticated by comparing its spectrum with the spectra of the labelled oil in the database, and gutter oils can be screened out, shortening the oil identification process from a few hours to a few minutes.

The method, developed by Dr Zhongping Yao, Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, sets up a simple analytical protocol and a spectral library of edible oils, and delivers high-quality and highly reproducible results.