Single-Laboratory Validation Study of a Rapid TD-NMR method for Quantitation of Total Fat in Sunflower Oil Powder.

Abstract

BACKGROUND\nA rapid total fat quantitation method for sunflower oil powder was developed using time domain nuclear magnetic resonance (TD-NMR). Currently, industry has three major methods for the total fat quantitation: gravimetric analysis after ether extraction (AOAC 933.05 and 989.05), gas chromatography with flame ionization detector (GC-FID AOAC 996.06), and high resolution NMR. The gravimetric analysis method takes a day using highly flammable solvents, and the GC-FID method takes two days requiring harsh chemicals for hydrolyzation, extraction, and methylation. High resolution NMR spectroscopy method requires simpler sample preparation and shorter analysis time compared to the other two methods. Often, only required sample preparation step is to dissolve a sample in a solvent. The acquisition time depends on types of analyzing nuclei and sample. The vegetable oil analysis by 13C NMR takes about four hours per sample. 1H NMR usually takes less time to analyze. In contrast, TD-NMR relaxometry method takes only an hour to prepare and analyze samples if the test is for total fat only. The acquisition time is 40\u2009s per sample, and samples are analyzed as is . A rapid analysis method in a quality control laboratory is very crucial for laboratory efficiency in releasing products. In this paper, a single-laboratory validation study is described for a rapid TD-NMR method to quantitate total fat in sunflower oil powder.\n\n\nOBJECTIVES\nThis validation work is to provide documented evidence for the method validity as well as the method performance.\n\n\nMETHODS\nThe method used Bruker minispec mq-20 NMR analyzer® with minispec plus® software. Hahn-echo pulse program was used in the method to collect spin echo signal to determine total fat content.\n\n\nRESULTS\nThe linearity/range result from ten standards (0, 21, 42, 63, 83, 92, 100, 108, 117, and 125%) has the coefficients of determination (R2) of 1.0000. The 100% level is 1.2\u2009g of fat in 2.5\u2009g sample, which is targeted fat content in a sunflower oil powder raw material. The method is specific for the quantitation of total fat in sunflower oil powder with no background interference from the matrix. The precision result of the six replicate samples at 100% level is 0.3% RSD. The accuracies measured from triplicate analysis of 80, 100, and 120% sample matrices are 100, 100, and 100% average recoveries, respectively. The ruggedness of the test method is 0.4% RSD of 12 analysis from two analysts (6 results from each analyst) on the different days.\n\n\nCONCLUSIONS\nThe test method is proven to be specific, linear, precise, accurate, rugged, and suitable for intended use of quantitative analysis for total fat in sunflower oil powder.\n\n\nHIGHLIGHTS\nTraditional methods of gravimetric or GC-FID for total fat analysis of raw materials require lengthy sample preparation and experiment time. Laboratory needs to spend a day to perform gravimetric analysis following ether extraction method and 2 days for GC-FID method. In addition, these test methods use highly flammable and harsh chemicals that generate hazardous chemical wastes. These hazardous wastes are harmful to analysts and environments. In contrast, TD-NMR method is safe, environmentally friendly, and fast. Therefore, TD-NMR is a preferred method for quality control laboratories.