Analusis 28, 402-412 (2000)
DOI: 10.1051/analusis:2000125

Analytical methods for determination of trans-C18 fatty acid isomers in milk fat. A review

M. Ledoux¹, L. Laloux¹ and R. L. Wolff<sup>2

1</sup>  Agence Française de Sécurité Sanitaire des Aliments (AFSSA), Unité Qualité du Lait et Analyses Sensorielles, 10 rue Pierre Curie, 94704 Maisons Alfort Cedex, France
²  Université Bordeaux I, Institut des Sciences et Techniques des Aliments de Bordeaux (ISTAB), Laboratoire de Lipochimie Alimentaire, avenue des Facultés, 33405 Talence, France

(Received February 24, 2000; revised July 4, 2000; accepted July 5, 2000.)

Abstract
This review describes analytical methods developed for the separation, identification and quantitation of trans-isomers of unsaturated fatty acids. Although these methods are applicable to a wide variety of food matrices, we have particularly emphasised the analysis of trans unsaturated fatty acids in milk fat. Various methods are described such as infrared spectroscopy, direct gas chromatography, gas chromatography in combination with either thin-layer chromatography or liquid chromatography both impregnated with silver nitrate and gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry. The field of application, the advantages and the drawbacks of each method are evaluated and discussed.

Key words: Trans fatty acid -- milk product -- chromatography -- spectrometry -- analytical method.


© EDP Sciences, Wiley-VCH 2000