Determination ofcis andtrans-Octadecenoic acids in margarines by gas liquid chromatography-infrared spectrophotometry

A combined capillary gas liquid chromatography (GLC) and infrared spectrophotometry (IR) method is described for the determination ofcis andtrans-octadecenoic acids in margarines made from partially hydrogenated vegetable oils. The totaltrans-unsaturation of margarine fatty acid methyl esters determined by IR, with methyl elaidate as the external standard, was correlated to the capillary GLC weight percentages of the componenttrans fatty acid methyl esters by the mathematical formula: IRtrans=%18∶1t+0.84×%18.2t+1.74×%18∶2tt+ 0.84×%18∶3t where 0.84, 1.74 and 0.84 are the correction factors which relate the GLC weight percentages to the IRtrans-equivalents for mono-trans-octadecadienoic (18∶2t),trans, trans-octadecadienoic (18∶2tt) and mono-trans-octadecatrienoic (18∶3t) acids, respectively. This formula forms the basis for the determination of totaltrans-andcis-octadecenoic acids in partially hydrogenated vegetable oils. From the weight percentages of 18∶2t, 18∶2tt and 18∶3t determined by capillary GLC on a cyanosilicone liquid phase and the totaltrans-unsaturation by IR, the percentage of the totaltrans-octadecenoic acids (18∶1t) is calculated using the formula. The difference between the total octadecenoic acids (18∶1), determined by capillary GLC, and the 18∶1t gives the totalcis-octadecenoic acids. Presented in part at the 81st Annual Meeting of the American Oil Chemists' Society, Baltimore, Maryland, April 22–25, 1990.     

Alkali isomerization of linoleate isomers: Characterization of products

Geometrical isomers of methyl linoleate were reacted with alakli, and the resulting conjugated isomers were separated intotrans,trans;cis,trans; andcis,cis fractions. The position of double bonds in the various fractions was determined by reductive ozonolysis.trans-9,trans-12-Isomer of linoleate formedtrans,trans- andcis,trans-conjugated dienes, whereascis-9,trans-12- andtrans-9,cis-12-isomers in addition formedcis,cis-conjugated dienes. The formation of the products is in accordance with the theoretical predictions. During conjugationtrans double bonds shifted to form atrans bond preferentially. During conjugation ofcis-9,trans-12- andtrans-9,cis-12-linoleate isomers, thecis double bond shifted preferentially over thetrans double bond. A small amount of diene not conjugated was probably a geometrical and positional isomer of the starting material.     

Content of trans-fatty acids in edible margarines

Fatty acid composition, including trans-isomers, was determined for four types of imported margarines consumed by the Bulgarian population. The results were compared with data obtained from a Bulgarian edible margarine produced under German license. Fatty acid composition and trans-isomer content were determined by gas chromatography of fatty acid methyl esters on a packed and capillary column, respectively. The total contents of trans-isomers of oleic and linoleic acid were within the ranges of 1.9–8.0% and 0.4–1.4%, respectively. The Bulgarian margarine contained similar quantities of trans-isomers.     

Preparation of 9,15-octadecadienoate isomers1

Linolenic acid was reduced with hydrazine to produce a mixture containing a max of dienoic acids. After methylation this mixture was separated into trienoic, dienoic, monoenoic, and saturated esters by countercurrent distribution (CCD) with acetonitrile and hexane. The dienoic ester was further fractionated by CCD with methanolic silver nitrate and hexane to separate purecis,cis-9,15-octadecadienoate and the equimixture ofcis,cis-9,12- and 12,15-octadecadienoates. Following isomerization of thecis,cis-9,15-octadecadienoate with selenium, the geometric isomers were fractionated by CCD with methanolic silver nitrate and hexane. Puretrans,trans and purecis,cis isomers were isolated, as well as an unresolved mixture ofcis,trans andtrans,cis isomers. The characteristics of these isomers and related compounds are compared as determined by CCD, IR absorption, and capillary gas-liquid chromatography (GLC). Presented at the AOCS meeting in Minneapolis, 1963. A laboratory of the No. Utiliz. Res. and Dev. Div., ARS, USDA.     

The influence oftrans-acids on desaturation and elongation of fatty acids in developing brain

trans-Monounsaturated acids account for up to 3% of the total octadecenoic acyl chains of human brain lipids. To investigate the influence oftrans-acids on desaturation and chain elongation of fatty acids, in vitro and in vivo experiments with rat brain were performed. In the in vitro assays of Δ9 desaturation, Δ6 desaturation and chain elongation,trans,trans-dienoic acid was inhibitory, particularly to chain elongation. Slight differences between the inhibitory effects oftrans-monoenoic acids and theircis-isomers were observed. In an in vivo model, unlabeled fatty acid (stearate, oleate, elaidate, linoleate, linoelaidate, arachidonate, ortrans-monoene from margarine) was injected simultaneously with [1-¹⁴C] linoleic acid into the brains of suckling rats. Linoelaidate and oleate inhibited desaturation and elongation of linoleate, whereas elaidate, stearate andtrans-monoene from margarine were stimulatory. While the demonstration of differences betweencis andtrans monoenic isomers required relatively high levels of the test acids, it appears thattrans-acids can influence desaturation and elongation enzymes that lead to acyl chain modification in the central nervous system. Portions of this study were presented at the meeting of the American Oil Chemists' Society and the International Society for Fat Research in New York, NY, April 1980.     

cis andtrans Analysis of fatty esters by gas chromatography: Octadecenoate and octadecadienoate isomers

A gas chromatographic method has been developed for quantitative determination of thecis andtrans percentages in octadecenoate and octadecodienoate esters. To separatecis- andtrans-monoene and diene isomers on a packed GC column, the fatty esters were stereospecifically epoxipized with peracetic acid. A simple and quantitative epoxidation procedure allows thecis- andtrans-epoxyoctadecanoates to be analyzed without prior isolation from the reaction mixture. No positional or geometric isomerization of the double bond occurred during epoxidation. Synthetic mixtures containingcis- andtrans-6,-9 and-12 octadecenoate isomers were completely separated intocis andtrans fractionstrans-15-Octadecenoate was the only isomer investigated that partially interfered in the analysis. Diene mixtures containingrans,trans-, cis,trans- andcis,-cis-9,12-octadecadienoates were also successfully analyzed by gas liquid chromatography (GLC) after epoxidation with peracetic acid. Each diene isomer formed two pairs of diepoxy diastereomers, some of which could be separated. Onecis,cis-diepoxyoctadecanoate diastereomer peak overlapped thecis,trans-diepoxyoctadecanoate peaks. The totalcis,-cis-diepoxyoctadecanoate percentages were calculated by using the ratio of the twocis,cis-diepoxyoctadecanoate diastereomers. Other positional octadecadienoate isomers were also epoxidized and analyzed by GLC. The large number of possible octadecadienoate isomers requires that some preeiminary fractionation be made before GC analysis is practical for diene isomers. Presented at the AOCS Meeting, Atlantic, City, October 1971 N. Market. Nutr. Res. Div., ARS, USDA.     

Trans fatty acids in Canadian margarines: Recent trends

The fatty acid composition and the trans fatty acid content of the top-selling 109 Canadian margarines were determined by a combined capillary gas-liquid chromatography/infrared spectroscopy method. The 109 brands accounted for 68% of the margarine brands sold in Canada and represented 74% of the market share. The mean level of total trans content in tub margarines (n=79) was 18.8% (g/100 g fatty acids) and ranged from 0.9 to 46.4%. The most frequent occurrence of trans in tub margarines was in the 15–20% range; 48 of the 79 tub brands were in this range but seven brands contained more than 40% trans. The trans content of hard margarines (n=30) ranged from 16.3 to 43.7% and the mean value was 34.3%. In 20 of the 109 brands, the levels of trans,trans isomers of linoleic acid exceeded the maximum level of 1% recommended for Canadian margarines. The levels of cis,trans/trans,cis isomers of linoleic acid were also high; 78 brands contained more than 1% and in 16 brands, the levels were in the 6–7% range. Linoleic acid content in the 109 brands ranged from 1.0 to 45.2% and averaged 18.3%. In 33 samples, linoleic acid was below the level of 5% recommended by an ad hoc committee of Health Canada. Moreover, in these, the total trans content exceeded 30%, and trans polyunsaturated fatty acid level was greater than 5%. There were eight margarines prepared from nonhydrogenated fat and their total trans content was below 2.5%. From the trans content and market share of each of the margarine brands, the average intake of trans fatty acids from margarine was estimated as 0.96 g/person/d. The intake of trans fatty acids in Canada from various sources was previously estimated by us as 8.4 g/person/d. Thus it is suggested that only 11% of the dietary trans fatty acids are supplied by margarines and the majority of trans fatty acids in the Canadian diet is derived from hidden fats in fast foods and bakery products.     

Preparation and some spectroscopic properties ofN-heterocyclic derivatives of a novel 1-pyrroline C18 fatty ester

A C₁₈ 1-pyrroline fatty ester, methyl 8-(5-hexyl-2-pyrrolin-1-yl)octanoate (1), was prepared from methyliso-ricinoleate. The C=N bond of the pyrroline ring was oxidized bym-chloroperoxy-benzoic acid to yield a mixture of oxaziridine isomers 2a,2b, which decomposed during gas chromatographic analysis to a 2,5-disubstituted pyrrole derivative, methyl 8-(5-hexyl-1H-pyrrole-2-)octanoate (3). Compound 3 was also obtained by reaction of 2a,2b with dilute HCl in methanol. Reaction of compound 1 with iodo-methane formed anN-methyl iminium iodide intermediate 4, which on reduction with sodium borohydride furnished a mixture ofcis/trans-N-methyl-2,5-disubstituted pyrrolidine derivatives, methyl 8-(cis/trans-5-hexyl-N-methyl-pyrrolidine-2-)octanoates 5a,5b. Reduction of compound 1 with NaBH₄ gave a mixture ofcis/trans-isomers of 2,5-disubstituted pyrrolidine derivatives, methyl 8-(5-hexyl-pyrrolidine-2-)octanoates 6a,6b. Acetylation of compounds 6a,6b with acetic anhydride furnished the correspondingN-acetyl pyrrolidines 7a,7b. When compound 1 was treated with perchloric acid, the corresponding iminium perchlorate derivative, methyl 8-(5-hexyl-1-pyrrolinium perchlorate-2-)octanoate 8 was obtained. The structures of the various derivatives were characterized by a combination of chromatographic, mass spectral and spectroscopic techniques.     

Preparative Separation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">cis</Emphasis>- and <Emphasis Type="Italic">trans</Emphasis>-Isomers of Unsaturated Fatty Acid Methyl Esters Contained in Edible Oils by Reversed-Phase High-Performance Liquid Chromatography

In order to measure exactly the trans-fatty acids content in food materials, a preparative group separation of cis- and trans-isomers of unsaturated fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) was achieved by an isocratic reversed-phase HPLC (RP-HPLC) method. The trans-isomers of 16:1, 18:1, 18:2, 18:3, 20:1 and 22:1 FAMEs were readily separated from the corresponding cis-isomers by a COSMOSIL Cholester C18 column (4.6 mm I.D. × 250 mm, Nacalai Tesque) or a TSKgel ODS-100Z column (4.6 mm I.D. × 250 mm, TOSOH), using acetonitrile as the mobile phase. This method was applied for determining the trans-18:1 fatty acid content in partially hydrogenated rapeseed oil. The methyl esters of cis- and trans-18:1 isomers of the oil were collected as two separate fractions by the developed RP-HPLC method. Each fraction was analyzed by gas chromatography (GC) for both qualitative and quantitative information on its positional isomers. By a combination of RP-HPLC and GC methods, a nearly complete separation of cis- and trans-18:1 positional isomers was achieved and the trans-18:1 fatty acid content was able to be evaluated more precisely than is possible by the direct GC method. The reproducibility of cis- and trans-18:1 isomers fractionated by the RP-HPLC method was better than 98%. These results suggested that the preparative RP-HPLC method developed in this study could be a powerful tool for trans-fatty acid analysis in edible oils and food products as an alternative to silver-ion chromatography.     

A rapid,automated method for the determination ofcis andtrans content of fats and oils by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy

A rapid Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) method was developed to simultaneously determine percentcis andtrans content of edible fats and oils. A generalized, industrial sample-handling platform/accessory was designed for handling both fats and oils and was incorporated into an FTIR spectrometer. The system was calibrated to predict thecis andtrans content of edible oils by using pure triglycerides as standards and partial least squares as the chemometric approach. The efficacy of the calibration was assessed by triglyceride standard addition, by mixing of oils with varyingcis/trans contents, and by analyzing fats and oils of known iodine value. Each of the approaches verified that the FTIR method measured thecis andtrans content in a reproducible (±0.7%) manner, with the measured accuracies being 1.5% for standard addition and 2.5% for the chemically analyzed samples. Comparisons also were made to the conventional American Oil Chemists’ Society (AOCS) method for the determination oftrans isomers by IR spectroscopy. The FTIR-partial least squares approach worked well over a wide range oftrans contents, including those between 0 and 15%. The sample-handling accessory designed for this application is robust, flexible, and easy to use, being particularly suited for quality-control applications. In addition, the analysis was automated by programming the spectrometer in Visual Basic (Windows), to provide a simple, prompt-based user interface and to allow an operator to carry outcis/trans analyses without any knowledge of FTIR spectroscopy. A typical analysis requires less than two minutes per sample. The derived calibration is transferable between instruments, eliminating the need for recalibration. The integrated analytical system provides a sound basis for the implementation of FTIR methods in place of a variety of AOCS wet chemical methods when analytical speed, cost, and environmental concerns are issues.     

Bisabolene epoxides in sex pheromone innezara viridula (L.) (Heteroptera: Pentatomidae): Role ofcis isomer and relation to specificity of pheromone

Thetrans- andcis-(Z)--bisabolene epoxides (trans- andcis-(Z)-BE) are the main components of the male sex pheromone inNezara viridula. The role of thecis isomer and the importance of thecis/trans proportion for the activity and the specificity of the pheromone are not clearly elucidated and were studied here. Interindividual variation of thecis/trans proportion produced by males was studied by individual hexanic extracts in two strains originating from the south of France (SF) and French West Indies (FWI). Thetrans isomer composed 42–82% of bisabolene epoxides in SF males and 74–94% of bisabolene epoxides in FWI males. Means (± SD) significantly differ between SF (62.8%±8.4) and FWI (82.4%±5.9) males in spite of this interindividual variation. Different isomers of bisabolene epoxide were synthesized and their EAG activity on female antennae was compared. Racemictrans- andcis-(Z)-BE elicited low EAGs, not different from the nonnaturaltrans andcis (E)-BE that were inactive on behavior. Behavioral tests revealed that racemictrans- andcis-(Z)-BE attracted 45% (P<0.05) and 25% (P<0.05) of females, respectively. The same levels of attraction were obtained with (–) enantiomers oftrans- andcis-(Z)-BE, which attracted 40% (P<0.05) and 20% (P>0.05) of the females, respectively. Binary blends containing 75/25, 50/50, and 25/75 proportions ofcis/trans isomers were more attractive thantrans-(Z)-BE alone and response of females to the 25%cis/75%trans blend was significantly more important than the response totrans-isomer alone (P<0.05). The importance of thecis/trans proportion in relation with the specificity of the male pheromone is discussed.     

Heat treatment of vegetable oils. II. GC-MS and GC-FTIR spectra of some isolated cyclic fatty acid monomers

Gas liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) showed that the cyclic fatty acid monomers (CFAM) isolated from a heated linseed oil have two ethylenic bonds, while the CFAM isolated from heated sunflower oils were saturated and monoethylenic isomers. GC-MS studies also showed the presence of cyclohexenic derivatives in the case of linseed oil. GLC coupled with Fourier transform infrared spectrometry (GC-FTIR) studies indicated that the CFAM isolated from linseed oil were ofcis (Z),trans (E) structures except two components which werecis,cis (Z,Z) dienoic acids. The unsaturated CFAM isolated from sunflower oils werecis (Z) andtrans (E) monoethylenic isomers. For sunflower oils, the major CFAM were isomers having acis (Z) ethylenic bond. The saturated CFAM isolated from a heated sunflower oil had molecular weights of 296 and 294. The latter could correspond to some bicyclic isomers.     

Hydrolysis of linoleate geometric isomers byGeotrichum candidum lipase

Lipase (EC 3.1.1.3) from the microorganismGeotrichum candidum preferentially hydrolyzescis-9 18∶1 andcis,cis-9,12 18∶2 from triacylglycerols, largely ignoring all other positional isomers ofcis 18∶1 as well astrans-9 18∶1. To obtain additional information about the specificity of the enzyme, two triacylglycerols were prepared and utilized as substrates. The lipase hydrolyzed 85%cis,cis-9,12 18∶2 and 15%trans,trans-9,12 18∶2 from the triacylglycerol, containing ca. 50% of each acid. From the triacylglycerol containing 46.3%cis,trans-9,12 18∶2 and 53.7%trans,cis-9,12 18∶2, 44.8 and 55.2% of the two acids were hydrolyzed. Therefore the enzyme discriminated against thetrans,trans isomer but not between thecis,trans andtrans,cis isomers. Scientific contribution No. 535, Agricultural Experiment Station, University of Connecticut. ARS, USDA.     

Analyses of fatty acid isomers in two commercially hydrogenated soybean oils

A conventional shortening and a hydrogenated winterized oil have been investigated to determine their composition of natural and isomeric fatty acids. Two solvent systems were applied in countercurrent distributions: the acetonitrile pentane-hexane system for separation of monoenoates from dienoates and the methanolic silver nitrate pentane-hexane system for separation of geometric isomers. Whilecis andtrans monoenoates were well resolved, the separation ofcis,cis fromcis,trans dienoates was complicated by the presence of positional isomers. The fractions isolated were oxidatively cleaved, and the esters of the resultant acids were quantitatively analyzed by gas-liquid chromatography. Although the amounts of saturated components of the two fat products were similar, the percentage oftrans isomers of the shortening was more than twice that of the winterized oil. The amount of oleic acid (cis-9-octadecenoic) was 19.6% for the shortening and 25.4% for the winterized oil. The shortening contained 13.3% linoleic acid (cis,cis-9,12-octadecadienoic), whereas the winterized oil contained 30% linoleic acid. Although our primary interest was in the estimation ofcis-9-octadecenoic andcis,cis-9,12-octadecadienoic acids, the completeness of cleavage data makes it possible to estimate all geometric and positional monoenoate and dienoate isomers in the two fat products. Presented at AOCS meeting in New Orleans, La., May, 1962. A laboratory of the No. Utiliz. Res. and Dev. Div., ARS, USDA.     

cis/trans isomerization of unsaturated fatty acids as possible control mechanism of membrane fluidity inPseudomonas putida P8

Exponentially growing cells ofPseudomonas putida had an increased ratio of saturated to unsaturated fatty acids in response to increased growth temperatures. Resting cells in which fatty acid biosynthesis was stopped reacted to a thermal increase by convertingcis-monounsaturated fatty acids totrans isomers.cis/trans isomerization of up to 60% of the unsaturated fatty acids was also activated by alcohols of different chain length. Their effective concentrations apparently depended on the lipophilic character of the alcohols. Also, a salt shock caused by the addition of NaCl resulted in the production oftrans fatty acids. However, cells that were adapted to growth media of high osmolarity synthesized cyclopropane fatty acids instead oftrans fatty acids. Activity ofcis/trans-isomerase was dependent on the growth phase and was significantly higher during logarithmic growth than during the stationary phase. The results of this study agree with the hypothesis that the isomerization ofcis intotrans unsaturated fatty acids is an emergency action of cells ofP. putida to adapt membrane fluidity to drastic changes of environmental conditions.     

The effect of conjugated linoleic acid on plasma lipoproteins and tissue fatty acid composition in humans

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) has been suggested by some animal studies to possess antiatherogenic properties. To determine, in humans, the effect of dietary CLA on blood lipids, lipoproteins, and tissue fatty acid composition, we conducted a 93-d study with 17 healthy female volunteers at the Metabolic Research Unit of the Western Human Nutrition Research Center. Throughout the study, subjects were fed a low-fat diet [30 energy percent (en%) fat, 19 en% protein, and 51 en% carbohydrate] that consisted of natural foods with the recommended dietary allowances for all known nutrients. After a 30-d stabilization period, subjects were randomly assigned to either an intervention group (n=10) supplemented daily with capsules containing 3.9 g of CLA or a control group (n=7) that received an equivalent amount of sunflower oil. The CIA capsules (CLA 65%) contained four major cis/trans geometric isomers (11.4% 9 cis-,11 trans-18∶2; 10.8% 8 trans-,10 cis-18∶2; 15.3% 11 cis-,13 trans-18∶2; and 14.7% 10 trans-, 12 cis-18∶2) and their corresponding cis/cis (6.74% total) and trans/trans (5.99% total) varieties in smaller amounts. Fasting blood was drawn on study days 30 (end of the stabilization period), 60 (midpoint of the intervention period), and 93 (end of the intervention period). Adipose tissue samples were taken on days 30 and 93. CLA supplementation for 63 d did not change the levels of plasma cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, and triglycerides. The weight percentage of CLA in plasma increased from 0.28±0.06 to 1.09±0.31 (n=10, P<0.05) after the supplementation. The 9 cis-,11 trans-isomer was the most prominent variety followed by the 11 cis-,13 trans- and 10 trans-,12 cis-isomers in lesser amounts. CLA in adipose tissue was not influenced by the supplementation (0.79±0.18 to 0.83±0.19 wt%) (n=10) and the 9 cis-,11 trans-variety was the only isomer present. Thus, contrary to findings from some animal studies, CLA does not seem to offer health benefits, in the short term, regarding the prevention of atherosclerosis in humans. CLA supplementation for 2 mon did not alter the blood cholesterol or lipoprotein levels of healthy, normolipidemic subjects. The supplementation did increase CLA in the plasma but only 4.23% of the ingested CLA was present in the plasma at any given time. No adverse effect of CLA supplementation was detected in this study.     

Trans-18:1 acids in french tub margarines and shortenings: Recent trends

The fatty acid composition of twelve French tub margarines and three industrial shortenings was established with particular attention to theirtrans-18:1 acid content. Four of the twelve margarines (including two major brands, with 60% of market share) were devoid oftrans isomers, one contained less than 2%trans-18:1 acids, whereas the seven others had a mean content of 13.5 ± 3.6%trans isomers. Four years ago, no margarines with 0%trans-18:1 acids could be found. It is deduced that the recent Dutch and American studies on possible effects oftrans acids on human health (serum cholesterol, heart disease risks) may have had some influence on French margarine manufacturers. Presently, an average French tub margarine contains only 3.8% oftrans-18:1 acids instead of 13% four years ago. To protect brand names, some manufacturers have replaced partially hydrogenated oils with tropical fats or fully hydrogenated oils. On the other hand, two of the three shortenings had high levels oftrans-18:1 acids: 53.5 and 62.5%. This last value, obtained for a sample of hydrogenated arachis oil, seems to be one of the highest values ever reported for edible hydrogenated oils. In this sample,trans-18:1 plus saturated acids accounted for 85% of total fatty acids. This would indicate that shortening producers and users are not yet aware of recent dietary recommendations, probably because these products are not easily identifiable by consumers in food items, in contrast to margarines.     

Partial argentation resin chromatography (PARC): I. Effect of percent silver on elution and separation of methyl octadecadienoate isomers

Partial argentation resin chromatography (PARC) for the separation of octadecadienoate ester isomers was investigated. In comparison to saturated silver resin chromatography, the time necessary to elute methylcis,cis-octadecadienaotes was dramatically shortened when columns containing sulfonic acid ion exchange resin silvered in the range of 60~90% of theoretical (meaning 60~90% of the sulfonic acid protons in the resin were replaced by silver ions) were used. Methods for preparation and silvering of the resin are discussed. The XN1010 resin (Rohm and Haas) was analyzed for total sulfonic acid groups and the amount of silver that can be incorporated by one or 2 treatments with silver nitrate was determined. A series of partially silvered resin columns was prepared and samples of methyl linoleate were eluted to study the effect of the percentage silvering on elution volumes and peak shapes. Twenty-gram samples of mixtures ofcis,trans- andtrans,trans- and oftrans,cis- andcis,cis-methyl 12,15-octadecadienoates were separated on a 91% PARC (91% silvered) column.     

Determination of trans fatty acids and fatty acid profiles in margarines marketed in spain

Two gas chromatography (GC) procedures were compared for routine analysis of trans fatty acids (TFA) of vegetable margarines, one direct with a 100-m high-polarity column and the other using argentation thin-layer chromatography and GC. There was no difference (P>0.05) in the total trans 18∶1 percentage of margarines with a medium level of TFA (∼18%) made using either of the procedures. Both methods offer good repeatability for determination of total trans 18∶1 percentage. The recoveries of total trans isomers of 18∶1 were not influenced (P>0.1) by the method used. Fatty acid composition of 12 Spanish margarines was determined by the direct GC method. The total contents of trans isomers of oleic, linoleic, and linolenic acids ranged from 0.15 to 20.21, from 0.24 to 0.99, and from 0 to 0.47%, respectively, and the mean values were 8.18, 0.49, and 0.21%. The mean values for the ratios [cis-polyunsaturated/(saturated +TFA)] and [(cis-polyunsaturated + cis-monounsaturated)/(saturated +TFA)] were 1.25±0.39 and 1.92±0.43, respectively. Taking into account the annual per capita consumption of vegetable margarine, the mean fat content of the margarines (63.5%), and the mean total TFA content (8.87%), the daily per capita consumption of TFA from vegetable margarines by Spaniards was estimated at about 0.2 g/person/d.     

Contribution oftrans-18∶1 acids from dairy fat to european diets

Twelve commercial samples of French butter, purchased in October–November, and 12 other samples, purchased in May–June, were analyzed with particular attention to theirtrans-octadecenoic acid contents. The isomeric fatty acids were quantitated by a combination of gas-liquid chromatography (GLC) of total fatty acids as isopropyl esters on a polar capillary column (CPSil 88) and of silver nitrate-impregnated thin-layer chromatography followed by GLC of the pooled saturated (used as internal standards) andtrans-octadecenoic acid fractions. Autumn butters contained 3.22±0.44%trans-octadecenoic acids (relative to total fatty acids), whereas those collected during the spring contained 4.28±0.47% (P<0.01). Minimum and maximum values for the two sets of butters were 2.46 (autumn) and 5.10% (spring), respectively. The annual mean value for thetrans-octadecenoic acid content in all butter samples was 3.8% of total fatty acids (ca. 2% for thetrans-11 18∶1 acid). This value allows calculation of the daily individual intake oftrans-octadecenoic acids from dairy products by populations of member states of the European Economic Community (EEC). It varies from 0.57 g (Portugal) to 1.66 g (Denmark). The mean value for the twelve countries of the EEC is 1.16 g/person/d, which is close to data published for the United States. In France, the consumption oftrans octadecenoic acids from dairy fat is higher than that from margarines (ca. 1.5 vs. 1.1 g/person/d).