Gas-liquid chromatography of triglycerides from erucic acid oils and fish oils

By critically selecting optimum operating conditions, quantitative gas-liquid chromatography of triglycerides has been extended to molecules containing substantial amounts of C₂₀, C₂₂, and C₂₄ fatty acids. The triglycerides of four erucic acid oils (water cress, rapessed, nasturtium, andLunaria annua) and two fully hydrogenated fish oils (menhaden and tuna) have been quantitatively analyzed by this technique. The average fatty acid chain length calculated from the triglyceride composition of each oil agreed closely with that determined by GLC of its respective methyl esters. Several conclusions about the triglyceride composition of the fats analyzed are discussed. Winner, AOCS Bond Award. Presented at the AOCS Meeting in Cincinnati, October 1965.