30A-18

Application of modulate differential scanning calorimetry and dynamic thermal stripping-thermal desorption – gas chromatography to describing oxidation byproducts in extra virgin olive oil

A. KANAVOURAS and R. J. Hernandez. School of Packaging, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824

Modulated differential scanning calorimetry (m-DSC) can provide very useful information regarding the degree of oxidation of edible oils. Since m-DSC is sensitive to composition changes resulting from oxidation, this technique could be used as a rapid and effective method to characterize the quality of olive oil at different degree of oxidation. The objective of this study was to correlate m-DSC measurements with dynamic-thermal-stripping/thermal desorption/gas chromatography of oxidized virgin olive oil. M-DSC thermograms were obtained on oil subjected to different oxidation treatments and selected flavor and off-flavor compounds of oil were quantitatively determined during the oxidation period. Extra virgin olive oil was subjected to the following thermo-oxidizing treatments: a) oil samples were purged with air using glass washing bottles at two flow rate values at 20-22 °C; b) oil samples were heated in a conventional oven at two area/oil mass ratios; and c) oils samples were heated in a microwave oven also at two area/oil mass ratios. Samples were withdrawn and analyzed at predetermined time intervals. Flavor and off-flavor compounds were isolated using a dynamic thermal stripping apparatus and transferred into a gas chromatograph by using a thermal desorption unit. All oil samples were analyzed by m-DSC from 25°C to -80°C at 7°C /min, and heating back to 40°C at 10 °C /min. We obtained high correlation values between the different m-DSC thermogram parameters and the chemical composition of oil from gas chromatography analysis. Results showed that m-DSC can be used as a simple method to indicate compositional changes in olive oil due to oxidation.

Session 30A, Food Chemistry: Lipids
1:00 PM - 4:30 PM, 2001-06-24 Room Hall D

2001 IFT Annual Meeting - New Orleans, Louisiana