The determination of erucic and cetoleic acids in oils, fats and fatty foods

A method for separating the methyl esters of erucic and cetoleic acids is described. Separation was achieved on silica gel plates impregnated with silver nitrate, utilising multiple development with a toluene: hexane mixture at a temperature of ?23°C. Mixtures of rapeseed and herring oil fatty acid methyl esters have been separated by the method described and quantified by gas chromatography.