Optimization of the selectivity of a cyanopropyl stationary phase for the gas chromatographic analysis of trans fatty acids

The quantification of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated trans fatty acids in partially hydrogenated fats by gas–liquid chromatography on a CP-Select CB-FAME capillary column was optimized using equivalent chain length values of fatty acids methyl esters that could coelute in the temperature range from 155 to 200 °C. The most appropriate temperature for the simultaneous determination of these trans isomers is around 197 °C. It is proposed a system to discriminate trans from cis octadecenoic fatty acid methyl esters based on the angular coefficient values of the equivalent chain length curves. The limits of detection and quantification were 0.28 and 0.93 mg g−1. Quantification was performed in the range from 0.93 to 280 mg g−1. Quantification accuracy was estimated by spike recovery of elaidic and trans-13-octadecenoic acids in hydrogenated fat samples. The obtained levels were from 97.60 to 103.28% for elaidic acid and from 98.12 to 99.27% for trans-13-octadecenoic acid. These results indicate that the accuracy of the methodology proposed for the quantification of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated trans fatty acids in hydrogenated fats is adequate.