Simple Method for Analysis of the Fatty Acid Composition of Milk Fats

Abstract

Transesterification of triglycerides with diethyl carbonate and sodium ethoxide proceeded quickly and smoothly to give a mixture of ethyl esters suitable for direct gas-liquid chro-matography (GLC). Methyl esters can be prepared in an analogous manner with dimethyl carbonate and sodium methoxide. Methyl butyrate and ethyl caproate are difficult to resolve from the solvent peaks, but GLC of both ester mixtures gives a complete analysis of the principal fatty-acids. Recoveries were excellent with a standard mixture of C4 to C18 saturated fatty-acids. Data are presented for the fatty-acid analysis performed by these methods on a specimen of ewe''s milk fat.