A rapid and quantitative procedure for the preparation of methyl esters of butteroil and other fats

A simple and convenient method for the quantitative preparation of methyl esters of fatty acids from glyceride fats and oils is described. The procedure, using potassium methylate as catalyst and a heating interval of 2 min at 65C in a closed vial, is applicable to fats containing both low and high molecular weight fatty acids such as butteroil. The methyl esters of samples ranging from a few mg to 30 mg are isolated by CS₂ extraction and a TLC technique. A similar procedure using sulfuric acid in methanol as catalyst is described for the conversion of free fatty acids to methyl esters. For the routine analysis by GLC of fats and oils such as lard, tallow, soybean, cottonseed oil or butteroil, no isolation of the methyl ester is required. A CS₂ extraction carried out in the reaction vial allows the GLC analysis immediately after the reaction period (2 min). Presented at the AOCS Meeting, Philadelphia, October 1966. E. Utiliz. Ees. Dev. Div., ABS, USDA.