Quantitative gas-liquid chromatography of triglycerides

To determine optimum operating conditions, an extensive study was made of the variables affecting quantitative recovery and resolution of model triglyceride mixtures. Parameters investigated included: flash heater temperature, carrier gas flow rate, type of carrier gas, column length, glass and metal columns, temperature program rate, linearity of detector response, physical design of gas chromatograph, and molecular species of triglyceride. Results indicate that with optimum operating conditions, triglyceride molecular weights through trierucin can be quantitatively analyzed. Accurate calibration is essential, since quantitative response factors vary somewhat with operating conditions, triglyceride carbon number, and the chromatograph used. Cocoa butter and rat adipose tissue triglycerides have been quantitatively analyzed by this technique. Presented at the AOCS meeting in Houston, Texas, 1965.