Jacqueline Sedman

Monitoring the oxidation of edible oils by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy

Edible fats and oils in their neat form are ideal candidates for Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analysis, in either the attenuated total reflectance or the transmission mode. FTIR spectroscopy provides a simple and rapid means of following complex changes that take place as lipids oxidize. Safflower and cottonseed oils were oxidized under various conditions, and their spectral changes were recorded and interpreted. The critical absorption bands associated with common oxidation end products were identified by relating them to those of spectroscopically representative reference compounds. The power and utilty of FTIR spectroscopy to follow oxidative changes was demonstrated through the use of “real-time oxidation plots.” A quantitative approach is proposed in which standards are used that are spectroscopically representative of oxidative end products and by which the oxidative state of an oil can be defined in terms of percent hydroperoxides, percent alcohols and total carbonyl content. By using either relative absorption as a basis or calibrating on representative standards, FTIR analysis provides a rapid means of evaluating the oxidative state of an oil or of monitoring changes in oils undergoing thermal stress.

The determination of peroxide value by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.

A rapid method for the quantitative determination of peroxide value (PV) of vegetable oils by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) transmission spectroscopy is described. Calibration standards were prepared by the addition oft-butyl hydroperoxide to a series of vegetable oils, along with random amounts of oleic acid and water. Additional standards were derived through the addition of mono- and diglyceride spectral contributions, as well as zero PV spectra obtained from deuterated oils. A partial least squares (PLS) calibration model for the prediction of PV was developed based on the spectral range 3750–3150 cm−1. Validation of the method was carried out by comparing the PV of a series of vegetable oils predicted by the PLS model to the values obtained by the American Oil Chemists Society iodometric method. The reproducibility of the FTIR method [coefficient of variation (CV)=5%)] was found to be better than that of the chemical method (CV =9%), although its accuracy was limited by the reproducibility of the chemical method. The method, as structured, makes use of a 1-mm CaF2 flow cell to allow rapid sample handling by aspiration. The spectrometer was preprogrammed in Visual Basic to guide the operator in performing the analysis so that no knowledge of FTIR spectroscopy is required to implement the method. The method would be suitable for PV determinations in the edible oil industry and takes an average of three minutes per sample.

Rapid quantitative determination of free fatty acids in fats and oils by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy

Rapid direct and indirect Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic methods were developed for the determination of free fatty acids (FFA) in fats and oils based on both transmission and attenuated total reflectance approaches, covering an analytical range of 0.2–8% FFA. Calibration curves were prepared by adding oleic acid to the oil chosen for analysis and measuring the C=O band @ 1711 cm–1 after ratioing the sample spectrum against that of the same oil free of fatty acids. For fats and oils that may have undergone significant thermal stress or extensive oxidation, an indirect method was developed in which 1% KOH/methanol is used to extract the FFAs and convert them to their potassium salts. The carboxylate anion absorbs @ 1570 cm–1, well away from interfering absorptions of carbonyl-containing oxidation end products that are commonly present in oxidized oils. Both approaches gave results comparable in precision and accuracy to that of the American Oil Chemists’ Society reference titration method. Through macroprogramming, the FFA analysis procedure was completely automated, making it suitable for routine quality control applications. As such, the method requires no knowledge of FTIR spectroscopy on the part of the operator, and an analysis takes less than 2 min.

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.

Quantitative Fourier transform infrared analysis for anisidine value and aldehydes in thermally stressed oils

A Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) transmission-based spectroscopic method was investigated for the simultaneous monitoring of aldehyde formation and the determination of anisidine value (AV) in thermally stressed oils. Synthetic calibration standards were prepared by adding known amounts of hexanal,t-2-hexenal andt,t-2,4-decadienal to canola oil (these compounds considered representative of aldehydic compounds formed during oxidation) plus random amounts of other compounds representative of oxidation by-products. The standards were analyzed for their chemical AV. With the partial least squares (PLS) technique, an FTIR spectrometer was calibrated to predict both the concentrations of individual aldehyde types and AV, with the individual aldehyde contributions being related to the chemical AV by multiple linear regression to derive “apparent” AV values. The predictive capability of the PLS calibrations was assessed by analyzing canola oils that were thermally stressed at 120, 155, and 200°C. The apparent AV, predicted for these samples, matched the chemical AV values within ±1.65 AV units. A PLS calibration also was derived by using thermally stressed samples as calibration standards. This approach provided similar predictive accuracy as the use of synthetic calibration standards. As such, quantitative determination of AV by FTIR spectroscopy was shown to be feasible, and the synthetic calibration approach provided additional information on the aldehyde types present in a sample and allowed the use of a simple gravimetric approach for calibrating an FTIR spectrometer. This study provides the basis for the development of a rapid, automated FTIR method for the direct analysis for AV of thermally stressed fats and oils in their neat form without the use of chemical reagents. The implementation of such a method as a quality control tool would eliminate the use and disposal of hazardous solvents and reagents, required by the conventional chemical method, and drastically reduce analysis time (∼2 min/sample). Possible applications include monitoring of the oxidative state of frying oils or evaluation of oxidative stability of biodegradable lubricants.

Rapid and direct lodine value and saponification number determination of fats and oils by attenuated total reflectance/fourier transform infrared spectroscopy

A simple, rapid and reproducible method of determining the iodine value (IV) and saponification number (SN) for fats and oils was developed with an attenuated total reflectance/Fourier transform infrared spectrometer and commercially available triglycerides as calibration standards. Partial least squares was used to determine the spectral regions correlating with the known chemical IV and SN values, and the calibration set was augmented with additional standards generated by spectral co-adding techniques. The calibration model obtained was used to analyze commercially available fats and oils with a wide range of IV and SN values, and the results were compared to the values obtained by American Oil Chemists’ Society methods. With the spectrometer calibrated and programmed, IV and SN results could be obtained within 2–3 min per sample, a major improvement over conventional wet chemical methods.

Determination of Solid Fat Index by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy

A unique and rapid Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic method for the determination of solid fat index (SFI) of fats and oils was developed, which is capable of predicting the SFI profile of a sample in approximately two minutes, without the need for tempering. Hydrogenated soybean oil samples (n=72), pre-analyzed for SFI by dilatometry, were melted and their FTIR spectra acquired using a 25 μm NaCl transmission flow cell maintained at 80°C. Approximately half the samples were used for calibration, with the balance used as validation samples. Partial least squares (PLS) calibrations were developed from selected spectral regions that are associated with thecis, trans, ester linkage and fingerprint regions of the spectrum and related to the dilatometric SFI values obtained at 50, 70, 80, and 92°F. The calibrations were initially optimized and cross-validated by using the “leave one out” approach, with the accuracy and reproducibility of the calibration models assessed by predicting the validation samples. The overall cross validation accuracy of the PLS calibration models was in the order of ±0.71 SFI units over the four temperatures. Week-to-week validation accuracy and reproducibility was determined to be ±0.60 and ±0.38 SFI units, respectively, the reproducibility being within the specifications associated with the dilatometric reference method. To facilitate routine “on-line” FTIR analyses, a Visual Basic program was written to drive the spectrometer, prompt the user to load the sample, calculate, and print the SFI values determined from the PLS calibrations. As structured, the FTIR method has the potential to serve as a viable substitute for the traditional dilatometric SFI method, with the elimination of the tempering step reducing analysis time from hours to minutes. The FTIR approach should also be applicable to the determination of solid fat content if calibrated against solids data obtained by nuclear magnetic resonance.

A Rapid FTIR quality control method for fat and moisture determination in butter

Abstract A simple, rapid and accurate method for determining fat, moisture and total solids for butter was developed using a Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer equipped with an attenuated total reflectance (ATR) accessory. A standard curve was prepared by recording the FTIR spectra of anhydrous butterfat and water mixtures in propanol and measuring the peak heights of the carbonyl and water bands in the spectrum. Analysis of chemically preanalyzed butter samples by ATR FTIR produced comparable values to those obtained by conventional wet chemical methods. Time for analysis was in the order of 5–7 min per sample including sample preparation time. With the instrument programmed using macro commands to automate the analysis, the operator skills required are minimal, making this procedure suitable for on-line quality control of the butter-making process.

An automated FTIR method for the routine quantitative determination of moisture in lubricants: An alternative to Karl Fischer titration.

An accurate primary Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) method for the determination of moisture in mineral and ester based lubricants has been developed based on the extraction of moisture into dry acetonitrile. FTIR evaluation of acetonitrile extracts from new and used lubricants as well as common lubricant additives and contaminants which might co-extract indicated that phenolic constituents interfered significantly with moisture measurements. By measuring moisture at 3676cm(-1) on the shoulder of the asymmetric OH stretching band, spectral interferences from extracted phenolic constituents were minimized. The spectra of calibration standards (0-2100ppm), prepared by gravimetric addition of water to dry acetonitrile, were recorded in a 1000-mum CaF(2) transmission flow cell and produced linear standard curves having an S.D. of approximately +/-20ppm. Lubricant sample preparation involved the vigorous shaking (20min) of a 1:1.5 (w/v) mixture of lubricant and dry acetonitrile, centrifugation to separate the phases, acquisition of the FTIR spectrum of the upper acetonitrile layer, and subtraction of the spectrum of the dry acetonitrile used for extraction. A Continuous Oil Analyzer and Treatment (COAT((R))) FTIR system was programmed to allow the automated analysis of acetonitrile extracts, and the methodology was validated by analyzing 58 new and used oils, independently analyzed by the Karl Fischer (KF) method. Linear regression of FTIR versus KF results for these oils produced a linear plot with a between-method S.D. of +/-80ppm. As implemented on the COAT((R)) system, this FTIR method is capable of analyzing 72 acetonitrile extracts/h and provides a high-speed alternative to the KF titrimetric procedures for the determination of water in lubricants.

FTIR Condition Monitoring of In-Service Lubricants: Ongoing Developments and Future Perspectives

Condition monitoring of used lubricants by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy is reviewed and placed in context of the recently approved ASTM Practice E 2412-04 developed by the Joint Oil Analysis Program (JOAP) as a standardized means of trending oil/lubricant condition. A new spectral reconstitution procedure is presented and evaluated as an alternative means of executing this ASTM practice, its objective being to minimize sample handling issues associated with the high viscosity of most in-service oils. Used diesel crankcase oils were analyzed in both their neat and diluted forms in 100 and 200 μ m KCl cells, respectively, and the coefficient of variation (CV) for accuracy of the spectral reconstitution procedure was < 5% for all the parameters evaluated. Spectral reconstitution simplifies and facilitates sample handling, avoiding the need for peristaltic or syringe pumps and allowing up to 120 samples/h to be analyzed. The need for a solvent rinse between samples is also avoided, and cell clogging and tubing wear are effectively eliminated. The spectral reconstitution technique also makes the ASTM practice compatible with newer FTIR systems which are capable of quantitative determination of AN, BN, and moisture.