Combined Application of Fluorescence Spectroscopy and Chemometrics Analysis in Oxidative Deterioration of Edible Oils

Combined methods of fluorescence spectrometry with chemometrics were used to monitor oxidation deterioration of edible oil. Synchronous and three dimensional fluorescence spectroscopy techniques were proposed for monitoring palm oil, camellia oil, sunflower oil and perilla oil during oven accelerated oxidation. Principal component analysis plot of fluorescence intensity (λex = 320–700 nm) clearly showed oxidative evolution of oils over heating time. High saturated or monounsaturated oils exhibited high regression coefficients between peroxide values and fluorescence intensity (R ²  = 0.973 for 400 nm in palm oil; R ²  = 0.956 for 370 nm in camellia oil). High diunsaturated oil exhibited high regression coefficient between nonpolar carbonyl compounds and fluorescence intensity (R ²  = 0.970 for 370 nm in sunflower oil). High triunsaturated oil exhibited high regression coefficient between p-anisidine value and fluorescence intensity (R ²  = 0.938 for 665 nm in perilla oil). In conclusion, Fluorescence spectroscopy is a rapid and green nondestructive method for oxidation monitoring. Differences of fatty acid compositions played key rules in formation of oxidation products and evolution of fluorescence spectra.     

Physicochemical properties and oxidative stability of frying oils during repeated frying of potato chips

Physicochemical properties and oxidative stability of refined coconut oil (RCO), refined soybean oil (SBO), pure olive oil (POO), and vegetable shortening (VST) during repeated frying of potato chips were determined. Polyunsaturated fatty acids of all the oils significantly decreased after frying. Tocopherols in SBO, POO and VST, and DPPH radical scavenging activities of POO and VST significantly decreased after frying. L* values of the oils significantly decreased, and a* and b* values significantly increased after 80 times repeated frying. Conjugated dienes and p-anisidine value of SBO after 80 times repeated frying were 21.8 mmol/L and 47.7, respectively, the highest among the oils. Levels of total polar compounds of all the oils after 80 times repeated frying were between 8.1 and 9.5%, not exceeding rejection limit after frying. Compositions and contents of alkanals, 2-alkenals, and 2,4-alkadienals in the oils during frying were largely affected by their fatty acid compositions.     

Quantification of adulterant agents in extra virgin olive oil by models based on its thermophysical properties

Two methods to quantify the adulteration of extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) based on the physical characteristic of adulterated samples have been here described. Firstly, the adulterant agent concentration is determined using the density and/or refractive indices (RIs) of adulterated samples of EVOO with sunflower (SO) or corn (CO) oils by suitable linear correlations between density and/or RI. Finally, models based on the combination of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) equipment and a chaotic parameter (lag-k autocorrelation coefficients, LCCs) is defined here to quantify adulterations of EVOO with refined olive (ROO), refined olive pomace (ROPO), SO or CO oils. This quantification was carried out using successful linear correlation of LCCs and ROO, ROPO, SO or CO concentrations in 462 adulterated samples of EVOO. The LCCs are calculated from DSC scans of adulterated EVOO samples. In both models studied, the adulterant agent concentrations are less than 14% w/w. The former is adequate to calculate the concentration of the adulterant agents (CO and SO) with a correlation coefficient (R²) higher than 0.927 and mean square error (MSE) lower than 8.9%. By the external validation process, the LCC/DSC approach estimates the adulterant agent concentrations with a R² (estimated vs. real adulterant agent concentration) greater than 0.921 and a MSE less than 4.9%.     

Monitoring the Oxidative Stability of Monovarietal Extra Virgin Olive Oils by UV–Vis Spectroscopy and MCR–ALS

The extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) has a certain oxidation resistance when compared to other vegetable oils without refining process, due to their large composition of monounsaturated fatty acids, antioxidants, and bio-compounds. The main of this research was to evaluate and monitor the behavior of autoxidative processes through the storage time in two packaging systems of different EVOO monovarietals produced in Minas Gerais, Brazil by using ultraviolet and visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis) with multivariate curve resolution with alternating least squares (MCR–ALS). We analyzed six EVOOs produced from different monovarietals (Arbequina, Empeltre, Coratina, Grappolo, Koroneiki, and Maria da Fé), over the course of 1 year, performed the analysis in times 0, 30, 90, 180, and 365 days, and storage in glass bottles and tinplate cans. The UV–Vis spectroscopy coupled with MCR–ALS was a feasible tool to monitor autoxidation processes in EVOO through storage time and in the monitoring of the EVOO quality in different package systems. The glass bottles were a package system that provides more protection for the autoxidation processes with the time for the EVOO from monovarietals Empeltre, Arbequina, and Coratina. In addition, it was possible to make a differentiation between the monovarietal olive oils produced in Brazil by observing the amount of phenolic compounds present in the chemical composition of each oil. Allowing gather information about the formation of oxidative products may correlate with the shelf life of the EVOO.     

Lipid oxidation-related characteristics of gim bugak (Korean fried cuisine with <Emphasis Type="Italic">Porphyra</Emphasis>) affected by frying oil

The effect of frying oil on the lipid oxidation, antioxidants, and in vitro antioxidant activity of gim bugak was studied. Bugak was prepared by pan-frying at 180 °C in unroasted sesame, soybean, extra virgin olive, or palm oil. The degree of lipid oxidation based on conjugated dienoic acid and p-anisidine values was higher in the bugak fried in soybean or sesame oil with high contents of polyunsaturated fatty acids and tocopherols. However, the oil oxidation was lower in olive and palm oils, which showed higher degradation of tocopherols and polyphenols than in sesame or soybean oil during frying. Although the bugak fried in palm oil contained less antioxidants than that fried in soybean or sesame oil, the in vitro antioxidant activity was not different (p > 0.05). Results suggest that palm oil can replace unroasted sesame oil for the preparation of gim bugak with improved lipid oxidative stability and health functionality.     

High-power gradient diffusion NMR spectroscopy for the rapid assessment of extra-virgin olive oil adulteration

A high gradient diffusion NMR spectroscopy was applied to measure diffusion coefficients (D) of a number of extra-virgin olive, seed, and nut oils in order to ascertain the suitability of this rapid and direct method for discrimination of adulterated olive oils. Minimum adulteration levels that could be detected by changes in D were 10% for sunflower (SuO) and soybean oil (SoO), and 30% for hazelnut (HO) and peanut oil (PO). Qualitative and quantitative prediction of adulteration was achieved by discriminant analysis (DA). The highest prediction accuracy (98–100%) was observed only when two DA models were concomitantly used for sample classification. The first DA model provided recognition of high adulterated EVOO with more than 20% of SuO or SoO, and 30% with PO, whilst the second model could differentiate EVOO adulterated with 10% of SuO or SoO, and more than 30% of HO. The validation test performed with an independent set of randomly adulterated EVOO samples gave 100% classification success. The high accuracy levels together with minimal requirements of sample preparation, and short analyses time, prove the high-power gradient diffusion NMR spectroscopy as an ideal method for rapid screening of adulteration in valuable olive oils.     

Impacts of the Particle Sizes and Levels of Inclusions of Cherry Pomace on the Physical and Structural Properties of Direct Expanded Corn Starch

An effort was made to understand the impacts of dried cherry pomace (by-product of cherry juice processing) inclusion into corn starch extrudates on their direct expansion characteristics. The effect of pomace particle sizes (whole unfractionated (<125 to >500 μm), <125, 125–250, 250–500, and >500 μm) and levels of pomace inclusion (0, 5. and 15% (w/w)) were specifically investigated. Feed moisture content of 15.5 ± 0.5% (w.b.) and the extruder barrel temperature of 140 °C were kept constant with varying extruder screw speed (150, 200, and 250 rpm). The radial expansion ratio (ER) increased with 5% pomace level of inclusion compared with control but decreased significantly (p < 0.05) at 15% inclusion. Particle sizes significantly affected ER (p < 0.05) with smaller particle sizes resulting in increased ER at all levels of pomace. Adding cherry pomace significantly decreased water absorption index (WAI) and water solubility index (WSI) with smaller particles leading to higher WSI. Extrusion process did not reduce the total phenolic content (gallic acid equivalents). Inclusion of the smallest particle size (<125 μm) cherry pomace at 5% level of inclusion yielded extrudates with the highest expansion ratio among all treatments, including the control. The scanning electron images suggested improvements in the extrudate surface and the internal cell structures. The results indicated the presence of active interactions between the cherry pomace and starch during the expansion process which is not present as an inert material.     

Characterization of aromatic compounds and biological activities of essential oils from Tunisian aromatic plants

The aromatic compounds and biological activities of essential oils from six Tunisian aromatic plants including Artemisia herba-alba, Rosmarinus officinalis, Thymus capitatus, Mentha piperita, Ocimum basilicum and Artemisia absinthium were investigated. Hydro-distillation was used to extract essential oil from these plants. The identification of compounds from essential oils was performed using GC–MS analysis. Camphor (28.47%) was the major compound of A. absinthium essential oil. High contents of verbenone (20.99%) and camphor (19.72%) were found in R. officinalis. In the case of T. capitatus, carvacrol (81.09%), gamma terpinene (6.61%) and caryophyllene (4.87%) were identified as the major compounds. While eugenol (24.69%), linalool (18.00%) were characteristic compounds of O. basilicum essential oil, camphor (39.10%) and farnesol (14.25%) together with bornyl acetate (12.31%) were the main constituents of A. absinthium. These oils were also subjected to a screening for their antioxidant activity and essential oil from A. absinthium showed a greater antioxidant activity (IC₅₀?=?0.0063 mg/mL) compared to the standard Vitamin E (IC₅₀?=?0.019 mg/mL). The antibacterial activities of the oils against seven pathogenic strains, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Bacillus cereus, Salmonella, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis and Micrococcus luteus, were tested. The highest and broadest activity was shown by M. piperita; however, Ocimum basilicum was inactive against all strains. Essential oils were also evaluated for antidiabetic and anti-acetylcholinesterase activities. The IC₅₀ values of A. herba-alba and O. basilicum against α-amylase were respectively 17.76 and 16.32 µg/mL suggesting a powerful anti-diabetic effect comparable to that of acarbose (IC₅₀?=?14.88 µg/mL). R. officinalis, M. piperita and A. absinthium exhibited an interesting acetylcholinesterase inhibition with IC₅₀ equal to 22, 24 and 58 µg/mL respectively.     

Enzymatic synthesis of structured lipids with behenic acid at the <Emphasis Type="Italic">sn</Emphasis>-1, 3 positions of triacylglycerols

A long chain saturated fatty acid (SFA), behenic acid, is incorporated into the sn-1, 3 positions of triacylglycerols in palm olein (POo) and high-oleic sunflower oil (HOS) by solvent-free interesterification catalyzed by Lipozyme RM IM. The enzymatic interesterified HOS (EIE-HOS) yielded 76.5% of BOO and BOB as compared to 45.6% in POo (EIE-POo). The sn-2 position of EIE-HOS displayed 5.3 mol% of SFA which is significantly lower compared to 13.5 mol% in EIE-POo (P < 0.001). The sn-1, 3 positions of EIE-POo exhibited greater amount of behenic acid (82.0 mol%) in relation to EIE-HOS (64.0 mol%) (P < 0.001). Due to the greater variety of constitutive triacylglycerol, EIE-POo showed greater differences between onset (To) and offset temperature (Tf) in the melting endotherms (76.99 °C) as compared to EIE-HOS (68.65 °C), and may offer more intensive cooling sensation and flavor release.     

Uncertainty of Trypsin Inhibitor Activity Measurement of Legume Crops Using Microtiter Plate Method

Trypsin inhibitors could limit utilization of legumes in human nutrition, but they could also have beneficial health effects. The objective of this study was to measure trypsin inhibitor activity (TIA) of different legumes using microtiter plate method and to identify factors that contribute to uncertainty of TIA measurement. TIA measurements were performed on seeds of faba bean, pea, common vetch, soybean, and common bean cultivars. The significant effect of legume crop on TIA measurement uncertainty was confirmed with P = 0.045. Certain sources of measurement uncertainty were related with the content of trypsin inhibitors (Tis) in legume seeds. In respect to that, significant effect of level of sample dilution (P ? 0.001) was confirmed. Significant influence of the repeated absorbance measurement of sample reaction mixture on uncertainty of TIA measurement was identified (P ? 0.001), and it took 60% of overall TIA measurement uncertainty for soybean cultivars. TIA of soybean cultivars exceeded 90 TUI/mg. Repeated absorbance measurement of positive control reaction mixture took 70% of TIA measurement uncertainty of cultivars with TIA lesser than 4.5 TUI/mg. Graduated cylinder used for preparation of the final sample solutions took the range from 45 to 90% of overall TIA measurement uncertainty of the cultivars whose TIA were in the middle of previously mentioned. The uncertainty of TIA measurement of legume crops was not studied before; thus, this study pointed out that acquiring insight into factors contributing to uncertainty of TIA measurement could give directions for improvement of TIA testing if microtiter plate method is used.     

Assessment of the Influence of the Decanter Set-up During Continuous Processing of Olives at Different Pigmentation Index

New generation decanters allow operators to make real-time adjustments during the virgin olive oil extraction process in order to gain the best performance possible. However, the opportunity to act in line requires a deep understanding of the consequences of changing machine parameters. To this purpose, an experiment was carried out at industrial scale. The decanter feed rate (Fr), ranging from 4075 to 5820 kg h^?1, the bowl/screw conveyor differential speed (?n), set at 18 and 22, and two ripening degrees of the olives were considered as process variables. Two combinations Fr-?n, namely 4620 kg h^?1 at ?n-18 and 5210 kg h^?1 at ?n-22, were found to similarly maximize the process efficiency, regardless the raw material features. After pointing out the best working settings, the corresponding virgin olive oils were compared. The analysis of variance showed that peroxide value, K ₂₃₂, K ₂₇₀, phenols, chlorophylls, β-tocopherol, fruity and bitter notes, and C6 volatile compounds were significantly affected by the machine parameters. An inverse proportionality was observed between the combination Fr-?n and the phenolic compounds. On the whole, the sampling factor exerted a larger influence on the product quality than the decanter set-up.     

Effects of chitosan and collagen containing α-tocopherol on the oxidative stability in bulk oil and oil-in-water emulsion

To provide efficient antioxidant capacities, proper carriers are needed to protect antioxidants against oxidative stress. Collagen mesh structure or chitosan gel was loaded with α-tocopherol and their effects were evaluated in bulk corn oil or oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion at 60 °C. Added collagen and chitosan enhanced oxidative stability in corn oil and O/W emulsions at 60 °C compared to corn oils without carriers or with addition of α-tocopherol (p < 0.05). Stability of α-tocopherol in corn oil loaded in collagen or chitosan was significantly enhanced compared to that in oils without carriers (p < 0.05). In O/W emulsions, α-tocopherol loaded collagen showed higher antioxidant properties than α-tocopherol loaded chitosan (p < 0.05). Collagen mesh structure and chitosan gel retarded the rates of lipid oxidation efficiently in both food matrices when α-tocopherol was not loaded. Collagen mesh structure and chitosan gel can be useful carriers for α-tocopherol in bulk oil or O/W emulsion.     

Composition, stability and acceptability of different vegetable oils used for frying peanuts

The purpose of this work was to determine the chemical stability of vegetable oils in the frying process and the consumer acceptance of fried-salted peanuts prepared in different vegetable oils. Fatty acids composition was determined in sunflower, corn, soybean, peanut and olive oils. A chemical study (free fatty acid and p-anisidine values) of these oils at frying temperature (170 °C) was developed during 96 h. Consumer test of fresh products was performed on fried-salted peanuts prepared in the different oils. Peanut oil and virgin olive oil presented oleic acid as predominant fatty acid (44.8% and 64.2%, respectively), making it more resistant to lipid oxidation at frying temperature than the other refined vegetable oils (sunflower, corn and soybean oils). Virgin olive and peanut oils showed less increment of free fatty acids and p-anisidine value than the other oils along the heating essay. In addition, fried-salted peanuts prepared with refined peanut oil showed higher consumer acceptance than those prepared with other vegetable oils such as sunflower, corn, soybean and olive oils. Peanut oil could be used to fry peanuts obtaining products with higher consumer acceptance and shelf-life, thus preventing loss of their sensory and nutritional quality.     

Determination of Seven <Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-nitrosamines in Agricultural Food Matrices Using GC-PCI-MS/MS

The quantitative analytical methods for seven N-nitrosamines including N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA), N-nitrosomethylethylamine (NMEA), N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA), N-nitrosodibutylamine (NDBA), N-nitrosopiperidine (NPIP), N-nitrosopyrrolidine (NPYR), and N-nitrosomorpholine (NMOR) were established for agricultural food matrices. Four food matrices were used for the method development: rice soup as a fatless solid matrix, apple juice as a fatless liquid matrix, corn oil as a fat-rich liquid matrix, and 20 % alcohol as an alcohol matrix. A combination of solid-supported liquid-liquid extraction (SLLE) using Extrelut NT and a solid phase extraction (SPE) using Florisil was employed for fatless matrices. For an alcohol matrix, only SLLE was used without SPE, and liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) was established for a fat-rich matrix. The extract was analyzed by gas chromatography-positive chemical ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (GC-PCI-MS/MS) using ammonia gas as an ion source. Linearity, recovery, repeatability, inter-day precision, reproducibility, and uncertainty were evaluated for method validation using four matrices. Method detection limits for all of the investigated N-nitrosamines were ranged from 0.10 to 0.18 μg/kg for the rice soup, from 0.10 to 0.19 μg/kg for the apple juice, 0.10 μg/kg for the corn oil, and from 0.10 to 0.25 μg/kg for 20 % alcohol, depending on N-nitrosamines. Established methods were applied to determine seven N-nitrosamines in some agricultural food products.     

Analyses on Essential Oil Components from the Unripe Fruits of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Rubus chingii</Emphasis> Hu by Different Methods and Their Comparative Cytotoxic and Anti-complement Activities

Rubus chingii Hu, belonging to the family of Rosaceae, is a nutritious fruit with various bioactivities and is widely distributed in both north and south China. This research was aimed to analyse its compositions of essential oils and their potential biological effects. Three different methods, steam distillation extraction (SDE), Soxhlet extraction (SE) with ethanol, and SE with ether, were employed to extract the essential oils from R. chingii. Chemical compositions of the three essential oils were identified by GC-MS; their cytotoxic and anti-complement activities were comparatively studied. Results showed that the yields of essential oils were 0.15 % (SDE), 2.12 % (SE-ethanol) and 1.98 % (SE-ether) (w/w), respectively. A total of 58 compounds were identified, including nine saturated hydrocarbons, 10 unsaturated hydrocarbons, nine alcohols, two carbonyl compounds, 11 esters, seven organic acids, eight oxides and epoxides and two others. Biological evaluation displayed that the essential oils extracted by SE-ether exhibited the highest anti-complementary activity, even higher than heparin (control). The essential oils extracted by SDE and SE-ethanol both showed certain cytotoxicity on A549 cell lines, and the former was higher than the latter. These results indicated the importance of selecting appropriate methods in practice.     

Detection of olive oil adulteration with some plant oils by GLC analysis of sterols using polar column

A new method was developed to determine the presence of some refined vegetable oils in olive oil based on the sum of campesterol and stigmasterol percentages. Model systems of corn, soybean, sunflower and cotton seed oils in olive oil at levels of 5%, 10% and 20% were prepared. The unsaponifiables of these model systems were analysed by GLC using polar column with high thermal stability. An olive oil authenticity factor based on the summation of campesterol and stigmasterol percentages was established as an indicator of olive oil adulteration with vegetable oils. The results indicate the possibility to detect the presence as little as 5% of these plant oils in olive oil.     

Evaluation of the bellier test in the detection of olive oil adulteration with vegetable oils

Virgin olive oil was mixed with eight vegetable oils (sunflower, soya bean, palm, linseed, cottonseed, corn, sesame, and olive residue) at various levels. The Bellier test was applied to find the minimum detectable adulteration level and the ‘sensitivity score’ for each oil. The test was inapplicable to sunflower and linseed oils regardless of the level in olive oil. It was successful in detecting olive residue, soya bean, palm, cottonseed, corn, and sesame oils at minimal levels of 730, 150, 130, 90, 60 and 10 g kg^?1, respectively. The rancidity level of the adulterant oils did not affect the performance of the test in the case of sunflower, linseed and sesame oils. The sensitivity of the test decreased considerably with increasing peroxide value of the adulterant oil: soya bean, palm, cottonseed, corn and olive residue. However, the change in sensitivity level commenced at so high a peroxide value that it has no significance for practical purposes; at such levels of peroxidation the adulterated olive would be unmarketable and rejected by inspectors due to its poor sensory quality.     

Application and Optimization of Microwave-Assisted Extraction and Dispersive Liquid–Liquid Microextraction Followed by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography for the Determination of Oleuropein and Hydroxytyrosol in Olive Pomace

In the present study, a new method based on microwave-assisted extraction and dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction (MAE–DLLME) followed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was proposed for the separation and determination of oleuropein (Ole) and hydroxytyrosol (HyT) from olive pomace samples. The effective factors in the MAE–DLLME process such as microwave power, extraction time, the type and volume of extraction, and dispersive solvents were studied and optimized with the aid of response surface methodology (RSM) based on a central composite design (CCD) to obtain the best condition for Ole and HyT extraction. At the optimized conditions, parameter values were 220 W microwave power, 12 min extraction time, 60 μL extracting solvent, and 500 μL dispersive solvent. The calibration graphs of the proposed method were linear in the range of 10–500,000 μg L^?1, with the coefficient of determination (R²) higher than 0.99 for Ole and HyT. Repeatability of the method, described as the relative standard deviation (RSD), was 4.12–5.63% (n?=?6). The limits of detection were 35 and 20 μg L^?1 for Ole and HyT, respectively. The recoveries of these compounds in the spiked olive pomace sample were from 93 to 98%. The proposed method, MAE–DLLME–HPLC–UV, was an accurate, rapid, and reliable method when compared with previous methods.     

TLC-Digital Image-Based Fluorometric Analysis of Ergosterol and Chitin Content in Food Grains Artificially Infested with <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aspergillus flavus</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fusarium verticillioides</Emphasis>

Novel thin-layer chromatography-digital image-based analytical methods were developed for the quantitation of ergosterol and chitin content in six food matrices (rice, wheat, maize, sorghum, groundnut, and sunflower), artificially infested with Aspergillus flavus (MTCC 6513)/Fusarium verticillioides (MRC 826). For ergosterol, single-step method, based on liquid/liquid extraction, was followed by thin-layer chromatography (TLC). Chitin was solubilized using lithium chloride (5%) in dimethyl acetamide and converted to chitosan using 5 N NaOH and subsequently complexed with calcofluor white dye. The absorption and emission maxima of chitosan-calcofluor complex were recorded at λ 350/230 and 430 nm, respectively. The sensitivity based on the limit of detection (LOD) was found to be 100 ng both for ergosterol and chitin analysis. Based on ergosterol and chitin analysis, groundnut and maize were found to be suitable substrates for A. flavus (p?<?0.013 and p?<?0.01), while sorghum followed by groundnut and sunflower were found to be ideal for F. verticillioides (p?<?0.01 and p?<?0.0001) and rice was established as poor substrate as there was no growth on it up to 12 days of incubation. A strong correlation was found between ergosterol and chitin contents with regression (r ²) values of 0.974 and 0.997 in food grains inoculated with A. flavus and F. verticillioides, respectively, during the period of infection. The authenticity of the two methods developed was further confirmed by applying them to commercial food grains and flours. Thus, ergosterol in combination with chitin analysis could be successfully used as an index of fungal contamination employing TLC-digital-based analytical methods.     

Fast Automated Determination of Total Tocopherol Content in Virgin Olive Oil Using a Single Multicommuted Luminescent Flow Method

Tocopherols are natural fluorophores of great importance for the characterization and authentication of virgin olive oil. Herein, a single automatic multicommuted flow method has been developed for the determination of total tocopherol content as well as the semi-quantitative estimation of α-tocopherol in extra virgin olive oil (EVOO) samples. Only appropriate dilution of samples with 2-propanol was necessary for their direct analysis by a multicommuted flow injection (MCFIA) manifold based on three solenoid valves with fluorescence detection. The peak height at λ _em = 330 nm (emission) with λ _exc at 296 nm was used as analytical signal. Linear response was observed within the range from 50 to 350 mg of tocopherols (expressed as α-tocopherol kg^?1 olive oil), suitable to cover the usual range for tocopherols in (extra) virgin olive oil ((E)VOO)). The results were consistent with those obtained by reversed-phase HPLC reference method, whereas the analysis time was significantly reduced. The sample frequency of the proposed automatic method was close to 40 samples h^?1, in contrast to typically 15–30 min required by HPLC. The method is fast, straightforward, cost-effective, and easy to implement in routine laboratories for screening purposes.