A Fully Automated Sample Preparation for 3-MCPD in Oil

Martin Perkins

21st June 2017


3-Monochloropropanediol (3-MCPD), 2-Monochloropropanediol (2-MCPD) and Glycidol are contaminants that are present in a variety of food samples.  These compounds can be formed in fatty/salty foodstuffs whenever high temperatures are applied during processing.  As an example, significant amounts of MCPD and Glycidol fatty acid esters can be produced in the edible oil refining  process.

While toxicology studies on rats have shown that 3-MCPD causes tumours, the effect of 2-MCPD is less well known.  3-MCPD is labelled as a possible human carcinogen.  This means that the manufacturers of oils and the products made with these must be in control of these chemicals which can only really be done with thorough testing.

The measurement of these compounds in oil is a long drawn out process where analysts need to handle potentially dangerous chemicals.

The laboratory at GERSTEL in Germany have looked at the automation of two methods and these are reported in their application note.  The application note describes a solution for fully automated determination of 3-MCPD and Glycidol in edible oils based on the reliable indirect method DGF C-VI 18 (10), similar to the ISO 18363-1 and AOCS Cd 29c-13 methods that are essentially identical.

This application note uses the new GERSTEL Robotic series of MPS automated preparation systems which can be standalone or directly integrated to any Agilent GC/MS with ease enabling end-to-end testing with minimal operator intervention.  This system provides safe, accurate analysis every time.

If you would like to know more about this method, then please contact our office on 01223 279210 or email us now.