Simple enrichment procedure for the estimation of minor polyunsaturated fatty acids in food fats

A simple, reliable and sensitive method, involving the partition of a mixture of fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) between hydrocarbon solvent and aqueous ethanolic silver nitrate, is described for the estimation of low concentrations of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in fats and oils. It is suggested that this procedure could be used to give an indication of oxidative stability of food fats and of their potential for off-flavour development.