Gas-Liquid Chromatographic Analysis of Milk Fatty Acids: A Review

Abstract

Application of gas-liquid chromatography (GLC) to the analysis of milk fatty acids has allowed the rapid separation and identification of these acids. To date, at least 142 acids have been reported, though many are present only in trace amounts. Saturated, unsaturated (cis and trans), branched-chain, hydroxy, and keto acids, as well as a cyclic acid, have been discovered; thus, milk fat Is the most complex natural fat. Techniques employed to extract fat from milk, convert the fatty acids to esters suitable for GLC analysis, and transfer the esters to the instrument quantitatively are described. Some of the problems involved in GLC analysis of milk fatty acids are discussed.