1991R2568 — EN — 16.10.2015 — 028.001

This document is meant purely as a documentation tool and the institutions do not assume any liability for its contents

Amended by:





Corrected by:









▼B

COMMISSION REGULATION (EEC) No 2568/91

of 11 July 1991

on the characteristics of olive oil and olive-residue oil and on the relevant methods of analysis







THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, Having regard to Council Regulation No 136/66/EEC of 22 September 1966 on the establishment of a common organization of the market in oils and fats ( 1 ), as last amended by Regulation (EEC) No 3577/90 ( 2 ), and in particular Article 35a thereof, Whereas the Annex to Regulation No 136/66/EEC contains the descriptions and definitions of olive oil and olive-residue oil marketed within each Member State, in intra-Community trade and in trade with third countries; Whereas, for the purpose of differentiating between the various types of oil, the physical and chemical characteristics of each of them and the organoleptic characteristics of virgin oil should be defined, in order to guarantee the purity and quality of the products concerned, without prejudice to other existing provisions; Whereas the presence of the characteristics of the different types of oil should be determined uniformly throughout the Community; whereas, to that end, Community methods of chemical analysis and organoleptic evaluation should be established; whereas the use should be permitted, for a transitional period, of other methods of analysis applied in the Member States provided that where there is a difference in the results, those obtained using the common method will be decisive; Whereas the definition of the physical and chemical characteristics of olive oil and of the methods of analysis entails the amendment of the additional notes to Chapter 15 of the combined nomenclature; Whereas the method of evaluating the organoleptic characteristics of virgin oil includes the setting up of panels of selected and trained tasters; whereas the period necessary for establishing such a structure should therefore be fixed; whereas in view of the difficulties that some Member States will encounter in setting up panels of tasters, the use of panels in other Member States should be authorized; Whereas, in order to ensure that the system of levies applicable to imports of olive residues functions correctly, a single method for the determination of the oil content of these products should be laid down; Whereas, in order not to harm trade, provision should be made for oil packaged prior to the entry into force of this Regulation to be disposed of during a limited period; Whereas it is necessary to repeal Commission Regulation (EEC) No 1058/77 ( 3 ), as last amended by Regulation (EEC) No 1858/88 ( 4 ); Whereas the Management Committee for Oils and Fats has not delivered an opinion within the time limit set by its chairman, HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION:







▼M20

Article 1

1. Oils, the characteristics of which comply with those set out in points 1 and 2 of Annex I to this Regulation, shall be deemed to be virgin olive oils within the meaning of point 1(a) and (b) of the Annex to Regulation No 136/66/EEC.

2. Oil, the characteristics of which comply with those set out in point 3 of Annex I to this Regulation, shall be deemed to be lampante olive oil within the meaning of point 1(c) of the Annex to Regulation No 136/66/EEC.

3. Oil, the characteristics of which comply with those set out in point 4 of Annex I to this Regulation, shall be deemed to be refined olive oil within the meaning of point 2 of the Annex to Regulation No 136/66/EEC.

4. Oil, the characteristics of which comply with those set out in point 5 of Annex I to this Regulation, shall be deemed to be olive oil composed of refined olive oils and virgin olive oils within the meaning of point 3 of the Annex to Regulation No 136/66/EEC.

5. Oil, the characteristics of which comply with those set out in point 6 of Annex I to this Regulation, shall be deemed to be crude olive-pomace oil within the meaning of point 4 of the Annex to Regulation No 136/66/EEC.

6. Oil, the characteristics of which comply with those set out in point 7 of Annex I to this Regulation, shall be deemed to be refined olive-pomace oil within the meaning of point 5 of the Annex to Regulation No 136/66/EEC.

7. Oil, the characteristics of which comply with those set out in point 8 of Annex I to this Regulation, shall be deemed to be olive-pomace oil within the meaning of point 6 of the Annex to Regulation No 136/66/EEC.

▼M26

Article 2

1. The characteristics of oils laid down in Annex I shall be determined in accordance with the following methods of analysis:

(a) for the determination of the free fatty acids, expressed as the percentage of oleic acid, the method set out in Annex II;

(b) for the determination of the peroxide index, the method set out in Annex III;

(c) for determination of the wax content, the method set out in Annex IV;

(d) for the determination of the composition and content of sterols and triterpene dialcohols by capillary-column gas chromatography, the method set out in Annex V;

(e) for the determination of the percentage of 2- glyceryl monopalmitate, the method set out in Annex VII;

(f) for spectrophotometric analysis, the method set out in Annex IX;

▼M28

(g) for the determination of the fatty acid composition, the method set out in Annex X;

▼M26

(h) for the determination of the volatile halogenated solvents, the method set out in Annex XI;

(i) for the evaluation of the organoleptic characteristics of virgin olive oil, the method set out in Annex XII;

(j) for the determination of stigmastadienes, the method set out in Annex XVII;

(k) for determining the content of triglycerides with ECN42, the method set out in Annex XVIII;

▼M28

(l) for the determination of the aliphatic and triterpenic alcohols content, the method set out in Annex XIX;

▼M26

(m) for the determination of the content of waxes, fatty acid methyl esters and fatty acid ethyl esters, the method set out in Annex XX.

▼M28 —————

▼M26

2. Verification by national authorities or their representatives of the organoleptic characteristics of virgin oils shall be effected by tasting panels approved by the Member States.

The organoleptic characteristics of an oil as referred to in the first subparagraph shall be deemed consonant with the category declared if a panel approved by the Member State confirms the grading.

Should the panel not confirm the category declared as regards the organoleptic characteristics, at the interested party's request, the national authorities or their representatives shall have carried out without delay two counter-assessments by other approved panels, at least one by a panel approved by the producer Member State concerned. The characteristics concerned shall be deemed consonant with the characteristics declared if at least two of the counter-assessments confirm the declared grade. If that is not the case, the interested party shall be responsible for the cost of the counter-assessments.

3. When the national authorities or their representatives verify the characteristics of the oil as provided for in paragraph 1, samples shall be taken in accordance with international standards EN ISO 661 on the preparation of test samples and EN ISO 5555 on sampling. However, notwithstanding point 6.8 of standard EN ISO 5555, in case of batches of such oils in immediate packaging, the sample shall be taken in accordance with Annex Ia to this Regulation. In case of bulk oils for which the sampling cannot be performed according to EN ISO 5555, the sampling shall be performed in accordance with instructions provided by the competent authority of the Member State.

Without prejudice to standard EN ISO 5555 and Chapter 6 of standard EN ISO 661, the samples taken shall be put in a dark place away from strong heat as quickly as possible and sent to the laboratory for analysis no later than the fifth working day after they are taken, otherwise the samples shall be kept in such a way that they will not be degraded or damaged during transport or storage before being sent to the laboratory.

4. For the purposes of the verification provided for in paragraph 3, the analyses referred to in Annexes II, III, IX, XII and XX and, where applicable, any counter-analyses required under national law, shall be carried out before the minimum durability date in case of packaged products. In case of sampling of bulk oils, those analyses shall be carried out no later than the sixth month after the month in which the sample was taken.

No time limit shall apply to the other analyses provided for in this Regulation.

Unless the sample was taken less than two months before the minimum durability date, if the results of the analyses do not match the characteristics of the category of olive oil or olive-pomace oil declared, the party concerned shall be notified no later than one month before the end of the period laid down in the first subparagraph.

5. For the purpose of determining the characteristics of olive oils by the methods provided for in the first subparagraph of paragraph 1, the analysis results shall be directly compared with the limits laid down in this Regulation.

▼M25

Article 2a

1. For the purpose of this Article, ‘olive oil marketed’ means total quantity of olive oil and olive pomace oil of a relevant Member State that is consumed in that Member State or exported from that Member State.

2. Member States shall ensure that conformity checks are carried out selectively, based on a risk analysis, and with appropriate frequency, so as to ensure that the olive oil marketed is consistent with the category declared.

3. The criteria to assess the risk may include:

(a) the category of oil, the period of production, the price of oils in relation to other vegetable oils, the blending and packing operations, the storage facilities and conditions, the country of origin, the country of destination, the means of transport or the volume of the lot;

(b) the position of the operators in the marketing chain, the volume and/or value marketed by them, the range of oil categories they market, the type of business carried out such as milling, storage, refining, blending, packaging or retail sale;

(c) findings made during previous checks including the number and type of defects found, the usual quality of oils marketed, the performance of technical equipment used;

(d) the reliability of operators’ quality assurance systems or self-checking systems related to the conformity to marketing standards;

(e) the place where the check is carried out, in particular if it is the first point of entry into the Union, the last point of exit from the Union or the place where the oils are produced, packaged, loaded or sold to the final consumer;

(f) any other information that might indicate a risk of non-compliance.

4. Member States shall lay down in advance:

(a) the criteria for assessing the risk of non-conformity of lots;

(b) on the basis of a risk analysis for each risk category, the minimum number of operators or lots and/or quantities which will be subject to a conformity check.

At least one conformity check per thousand tonnes of olive oil marketed in the Member State shall be carried out per year.

5. Member States shall verify compliance by:

(a) carrying out, in any order, the analyses set out in Annex I; or

(b) following the order set out in Annex Ib on the decision tree until one of the decisions appearing in the decision tree is reached.

▼M19 —————

▼M25

Article 3

Where it is found that an oil does not correspond to its category description, the Member State concerned shall, without prejudice to any other penalties, apply effective, proportionate and dissuasive penalties to be determined in the light of the seriousness of the irregularity detected.

Where checks reveal significant irregularities, Member States shall increase the frequency of checks in relation to marketing stage, oil category, origin, or other criteria.

▼M5

Article 4

▼M19

1. The Member States may approve assessment panels so that national authorities or their representatives can assess and verify organoleptic characteristics.

The terms of approval shall be set by Member States and ensure that:

— the requirements of Annex XII.4 are met,

— the panel head is given training recognised for this purpose by the Member State,

— continued approval depends on performance in annual checks arranged by the Member State.

Member States shall notify to the Commission a list of approved panels and the action taken under this paragraph.

▼M5

2. Where Member States encounter difficulties in setting up tasting panels in their territory, they may call on a tasting panel approved in another Member State.

3. Each Member State draw up a list of tasting panels set up by professional or inter-branch organizations in accordance with the conditions laid down in paragraph 1 and shall ensure that those conditions are complied with.

▼M19 —————

▼B

Article 6

1. The oil content of oil cake and other residues resulting from the extraction of olive oil (CN codes 2306 90 11 and 2306 90 19 ) shall be determined using the method set out in Annex XV.

2. The oil content referred to in paragraph 1 shall be expressed as a percentage of the weight of oil to the weight of dry matter.

▼M20

Article 7

The Community provisions concerning the presence of contaminants shall apply.

As regards halogenated solvents, the limits for all categories of olive oils are as follows:

— maximum content of each halogenated solvent detected: 0,1 mg/kg,

— maximum total content of halogenated solvents detected: 0,2 mg/kg.

▼M25

Article 7a

Natural or legal persons and groups of persons who hold olive oil and olive pomace oil from the extraction at the mill up to the bottling stage included, for whatever professional or commercial purposes, shall be required to keep entry and withdrawal registers for each category of such oils.

Member State shall ensure that the obligation laid down in the first paragraph is duly complied with.

▼M25

Article 8

1. Member States shall notify the Commission of the measures implementing this Regulation. They shall inform the Commission of any subsequent amendments.

2. No later than 31 May of each year, Member States shall transmit to the Commission a report on the implementation of this Regulation during the previous calendar year. The report shall contain at least the results of the conformity checks carried out on olive oils as per the templates set out in Annex XXI.

3. The notifications referred to in this Regulation shall be made in accordance with Commission Regulation (EC) No 792/2009 ( 5 ).

▼B

Article 9

Regulation (EEC) No 1058/77 is hereby repealed.

Article 10

1. This Regulation shall enter into force on the third day following its publication in the Official Journal of the European Communities.

However, the method set out in Annex XII shall apply from ►M1 1 November 1992 ◄ , except in so far as operations relating to the intervention system are concerned.

▼M5

That method shall not apply to virgin olive oil prepared for the market prior to 1 November 1992.

▼B

2. This Regulation shall not apply to olive oil and olive-residue oil packaged before the entry into force of this Regulation and marketed up to 31 October 1992.

This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all Member States.









ANNEXES

Summary







Annex I: Olive oil characteristics Annex Ia: Sampling of olive oil or olive-pomace oil delivered in immediate packaging Annexe Ib: Decision tree for verifying whether an olive oil sample is consistent with the category declared Annex II: ►M21 Determination of free fatty acids, cold method ◄ Annex III: Determination of the peroxide value Annex IV: ►M6 Determination of wax content by capillary column gas-liquid chromatography ◄ Annex V: Determination of the composition and content of sterols and triterpenes dialcohols by capillary-column gas chromatography Annex VII: ►M21 Determination of the percentage of 2-glyceryl monopalmitate ◄ ▼M20 ————— ▼B Annex IX: Spectrophotometric investigation in the ultraviolet ▼M28 Annex X: Determination of fatty acid methyl esters by gas chromatography ▼B Annex XI: Determination of the volatile halogenated solvents of olive oil Annex XII: The international olive council’s method for the organoleptic assessment of virgin olive oil ▼M20 ————— ▼M19 ————— ▼B Annex XV: Oil content of olive residue Annex XVI: Determination of iodine value Annex XVII: Determination of stigmastadienes in vegetable oils Annex XVIII: Determination of the difference between actual and theoretical content of triacylglycerols with ECN 42 Annex XIX: ►M28 Determination of aliphatic and triterpenic alcohols content by capillary gas chromatography ◄ ▼M23 Annex XX: Method for the determination of the content of waxes, fatty acid methyl esters and fatty acid ethyl esters by capillary gas chromatography ▼M28 ————— ▼M25 ANNEX XXI: Results of conformity checks carried out on olive oils referred to in Article 8(2)

▼M27









ANNEX I

OLIVE OIL CHARACTERISTICS







Category Fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEEs) (*) Acidity (%) (*) Peroxide index mEq O2/kg (*) Waxes mg/kg (**) 2-glyceril monopalmitate (%) Stigmastadienes mg/kg (1) Difference: ECN42 (HPLC) and ECN42 (theoretical calculation) K232 (*) K268 or K270 (*) Delta-K (*) Organoleptic evaluation Median defect (Md) (*) Organoleptic evaluation Fruity median (Mf) (*) 1. Extra virgin olive oil FAEEs ≤ 40 mg/kg (2013-2014 crop year) (2) FAEEs ≤ 35 mg/kg (2014-2016 crop year) FAEEs ≤ 30 mg/kg (after 2016 crop years) ≤ 0,8 ≤ 20 C42 + C44 + C46 ≤ 150 ≤ 0,9 if total palmitic acid % ≤ 14 % ≤ 0,05 ≤ |0,2| ≤ 2,50 ≤ 0,22 ≤ 0,01 Md = 0 Mf > 0 ≤ 1,0 if total palmitic acid % > 14 % 2. Virgin olive oil — ≤ 2,0 ≤ 20 C42 + C44 + C46 ≤ 150 ≤ 0,9 if total palmitic acid % ≤ 14 % ≤ 0,05 ≤ |0,2| ≤ 2,60 ≤ 0,25 ≤ 0,01 Md ≤ 3,5 Mf > 0 ≤ 1,0 if total palmitic acid % > 14 % 3. Lampante olive oil — > 2,0 — C40 + C42 + C44 + C46 ≤ 300 (3) ≤ 0,9 if total palmitic acid % ≤ 14 % ≤ 0,50 ≤ |0,3| — — — Md > 3,5 (4) — ≤ 1,1 if total palmitic acid % > 14 % 4. Refined olive oil — ≤ 0,3 ≤ 5 C40 + C42 + C44 + C46 ≤ 350 ≤ 0,9 if total palmitic acid % ≤ 14 % — ≤ |0,3| — ≤ 1,10 ≤ 0,16 — — ≤ 1,1 if total palmitic acid % > 14 % 5. Olive oil composed of refined and virgin olive oils — ≤ 1,0 ≤ 15 C40 + C42 + C44 + C46 ≤ 350 ≤ 0,9 if total palmitic acid % ≤ 14 % — ≤ |0,3| — ≤ 0,90 ≤ 0,15 — — ≤ 1,0 if total palmitic acid % > 14 % 6. Crude olive-pomace oil — — — C40 + C42 + C44 + C46 > 350 (5) ≤ 1,4 — ≤ |0,6| — — — — — 7. Refined olive-pomace oil — ≤ 0,3 ≤ 5 C40 + C42 + C44 + C46 > 350 ≤ 1,4 — ≤ |0,5| — ≤ 2,00 ≤ 0,20 — — 8. Olive-pomace oil — ≤ 1,0 ≤ 15 C40 + C42 + C44 + C46 > 350 ≤ 1,2 — ≤ |0,5| — ≤ 1,70 ≤ 0,18 — — (1) Total isomers which could (or could not) be separated by capillary column. (2) The limit applies to olive oils produced as from 1 March 2014. (3) Oils with a wax content of between 300 mg/kg and 350 mg/kg are considered to be lampante olive oil if the total aliphatic alcohol content is less than or equal to 350 mg/kg or if the erythrodiol and uvaol content is less than or equal to 3,5 %. (4) The median defect may be less than or equal to 3,5 and the fruity median equal to 0. (5) Oils with a wax content of between 300 mg/kg and 350 mg/kg are considered to be crude olive-pomace oil if the total aliphatic alcohol content is above 350 mg/kg and if the erythrodiol and uvaol content is greater than 3,5 %.







Category Fatty acid composition (1) Total transoleic isomers (%) Total translinoleic + translinolenic isomers (%) Sterols composition Total sterols (mg/kg) Erythrodiol and uvaol (%) (**) Myristic (%) Linolenic (%) Arachidic (%) Eicosenoic (%) Behenic (%) Lignoceric (%) Cholesterol (%) Brassicasterol (%) Campesterol (2) (%) Stigmasterol (%) App β – sitosterol (3) (%) (**) Delta-7-stigmastenol (2) (%) 1. Extra virgin olive oil ≤ 0,03 ≤ 1,00 ≤ 0,60 ≤ 0,40 ≤ 0,20 ≤ 0,20 ≤ 0,05 ≤ 0,05 ≤ 0,5 ≤ 0,1 ≤ 4,0 < Camp. ≥ 93,0 ≤ 0,5 ≥ 1 000 ≤ 4,5 2. Virgin olive oil ≤ 0,03 ≤ 1,00 ≤ 0,60 ≤ 0,40 ≤ 0,20 ≤ 0,20 ≤ 0,05 ≤ 0,05 ≤ 0,5 ≤ 0,1 ≤ 4,0 < Camp. ≥ 93,0 ≤ 0,5 ≥ 1 000 ≤ 4,5 3. Lampante olive oil ≤ 0,03 ≤ 1,00 ≤ 0,60 ≤ 0,40 ≤ 0,20 ≤ 0,20 ≤ 0,10 ≤ 0,10 ≤ 0,5 ≤ 0,1 ≤ 4,0 — ≥ 93,0 ≤ 0,5 ≥ 1 000 ≤ 4,5 (4) 4. Refined olive oil ≤ 0,03 ≤ 1,00 ≤ 0,60 ≤ 0,40 ≤ 0,20 ≤ 0,20 ≤ 0,20 ≤ 0,30 ≤ 0,5 ≤ 0,1 ≤ 4,0 < Camp. ≥ 93,0 ≤ 0,5 ≥ 1 000 ≤ 4,5 5. Olive oil composed of refined and virgin olive oils ≤ 0,03 ≤ 1,00 ≤ 0,60 ≤ 0,40 ≤ 0,20 ≤ 0,20 ≤ 0,20 ≤ 0,30 ≤ 0,5 ≤ 0,1 ≤ 4,0 < Camp. ≥ 93,0 ≤ 0,5 ≥ 1 000 ≤ 4,5 6. Crude olive-pomace oil ≤ 0,03 ≤ 1,00 ≤ 0,60 ≤ 0,40 ≤ 0,30 ≤ 0,20 ≤ 0,20 ≤ 0,10 ≤ 0,5 ≤ 0,2 ≤ 4,0 — ≥ 93,0 ≤ 0,5 ≥ 2 500 > 4,5 (5) 7. Refined olive-pomace oil ≤ 0,03 ≤ 1,00 ≤ 0,60 ≤ 0,40 ≤ 0,30 ≤ 0,20 ≤ 0,40 ≤ 0,35 ≤ 0,5 ≤ 0,2 ≤ 4,0 < Camp. ≥ 93,0 ≤ 0,5 ≥ 1 800 > 4,5 8. Olive-pomace oil ≤ 0,03 ≤ 1,00 ≤ 0,60 ≤ 0,40 ≤ 0,30 ≤ 0,20 ≤ 0,40 ≤ 0,35 ≤ 0,5 ≤ 0,2 ≤ 4,0 < Camp. ≥ 93,0 ≤ 0,5 ≥ 1 600 > 4,5 (1) Other fatty acids content (%): palmitic: 7,50-20,00; palmitoleic: 0,30-3,50; heptadecanoic: ≤ 0,30; heptadecenoic: ≤ 0,30; stearic: 0,50-5,00; oleic: 55,00-83,00; linoleic: 2,50-21,00. (2) See the Appendix to this Annex. (3) App β-sitosterol: Delta-5,23-stigmastadienol + chlerosterol + beta-sitosterol+sitostanol + delta-5-avenasterol + delta-5,24-stigmastadienol. (4) Oils with a wax content of between 300 mg/kg and 350 mg/kg are considered to be lampante olive oil if the total aliphatic alcohol content is less than or equal to 350 mg/kg or if the erythrodiol and uvaol content is less than or equal to 3,5 %. (5) Oils with a wax content of between 300 mg/kg and 350 mg/kg are considered to be crude olive-pomace oil if the total aliphatic alcohol content is above 350 mg/kg or if the erythrodiol and uvaol content is greater than 3,5 %.

Notes:

(a) The results of the analyses must be expressed to the same number of decimal places as used for each characteristic. The last digit must be increased by one unit if the following digit is greater than 4.

(b) If just a single characteristic does not match the values stated, the category of an oil can be changed or the oil declared impure for the purposes of this Regulation.

(c) If a characteristic is marked with an asterisk (*), referring to the quality of the oil, this means the following: — for lampante olive oil, it is possible for both the relevant limits to be different from the stated values at the same time, — for virgin olive oils, if at least one of these limits is different from the stated values, the category of the oil will be changed, although they will still be classified in one of the categories of virgin olive oil.

(d) If a characteristic is marked with two asterisks (**), this means that for all types of olive-pomace oil, it is possible for both the relevant limits to be different from the stated values at the same time.









Appendix

DECISION TREE

Campesterol decision tree for virgin and extra virgin olive oils:

The other parameters shall comply with the limits fixed in this Regulation.

Delta-7-stigmastenol decision tree for:

— Extra virgin and virgin olive oils —

The other parameters shall comply with the limits fixed in this Regulation.

— Olive-pomace oils (crude and refined) —

▼M26









ANNEX Ia

SAMPLING OF OLIVE OIL OR OLIVE-POMACE OIL DELIVERED IN IMMEDIATE PACKAGING

This method of sampling is applied to batches of olive oil or olive-pomace oil put up in immediate packaging. Different sampling methods apply, depending on whether the immediate packaging exceeds 5 litres or not.

‘Batch’ shall mean a set of sales units which are produced, manufactured and packed in circumstances such that the oil contained in each sales unit is considered to be homogenous in terms of all analytical characteristics. The individuation of a batch must be done in accordance with Directive 2011/91/EU of the European Parliament and of the Council ( 6 ).

‘Increment’ shall mean the quantity of oil contained in an immediate package and taken from a random point of the batch.

1. CONTENT OF PRIMARY SAMPLE

1.1. Immediate packaging not exceeding 5 litres

‘Primary Sample’ for immediate packaging not exceeding 5 litres shall mean the number of increments taken from a batch and in agreement with Table 1.







Table 1 Primary sample minimum size must comprise the following Where the immediate packaging has a capacity of The primary sample must comprise the oil from (a) 1 litre or more (a) 1 immediate pack; (b) less than 1 litre (b) the minimum number of packs with a total capacity of at least 1,0 litre

The number of packs referred to in Table 1, which shall constitute a primary sample, can be increased by each Member State, according to their own needs (for example organoleptic assessment by a different laboratory from that which performed the chemical analyses, counter-analysis, etc.).

1.2. Immediate packaging exceeding 5 litres

‘Primary Sample’ for immediate packaging exceeding 5 litres shall mean a representative part of the total increments, obtained by a process of reduction and in agreement with Table 2. The primary sample must be composed of various examples.

‘Example’ of a primary sample shall mean each of the packages making up the primary sample.







Table 2 Minimum number of increments to be selected Number of packages in the lot Minimum number of increments to be selected Up to 10 1 From … 11 to 150 2 From … 151 to 500 3 From … 501 to 1 500 4 From … 1 501 to 2 500 5 > 2 500 per 1 000 packages 1 extra increment

In order to reduce the volume of the sampling immediate packs, the content of the sampling increments is homogenised for the preparation of the primary sample. The portions of the different increments are poured into a common container for homogenisation by stirring, so that it will be best protected from air.

The content of the primary sample must be poured into a series of packages of the minimum capacity of 1,0 liter, each one of which constitutes an example of the primary sample.

The number of primary samples can be increased by each Member State, according to their own necessity (for example organoleptic assessment by a different laboratory from the one that performed the chemical analyses, counter-analysis, etc).

Each package must be filled in a way to minimise the air layer on top and then suitably closed and sealed to ensure the product is tamper-proof.

These examples must be labeled to ensure correct identification.

2. ANALYSES AND RESULTS

2.1. Each primary sample must be subdivided into laboratory samples, in accordance with point 2.5 of standard EN ISO 5555, and analysed according to the order shown in the decision tree set out in Annex Ib or in any other random order.

2.2. Where all the results of the analyses comply with the characteristics of the category of oil declared, the whole batch is to be declared to comply. If a single result of the analyses does not comply with the characteristics of the category of oil declared, the whole batch is to be declared non compliant.

3. VERIFICATION OF THE CATEGORY OF BATCH

3.1. In order to verify the batch category, the competent authority may increase the number of primary samples taken at different points of the batch according to the following table:



Table 3 Number of primary samples determined by the size of batch Size of batch (litres) Number of primary samples Less than 7 500 2 From 7 500 to less than 25 000 3 From 25 000 to less than 75 000 4 From 75 000 to less than 125 000 5 Equal to and more than 125 000 6 + 1 each 50 000 litres more Each increment constituting a primary sample must be taken from a continuous place in the batch; it is necessary to take note of the location of each primary sample and to identify it unambiguously. The formation of each primary sample must be carried out according to the procedures referred to in points 1.1 and 1.2. Each primary sample is then subjected to the analyses referred to in Article 2(1).

3.2. When one of the results of the analyses referred to in Article 2(1) of at least one primary sample does not comply with the characteristics of the declared category of oil, the whole sampling batch shall be declared non compliant.









ANNEX Ib

DECISION TREE FOR VERIFYING WHETHER AN OLIVE OIL SAMPLE IS CONSISTENT WITH THE CATEGORY DECLARED

Table 1

Table 2

Table 3









Appendix 1







Table of equivalence between the Annexes to this Regulation and the analyses specified in the decision tree — Acidity Annex II Determination of free fatty acids, cold method — Peroxide value Annex III Determination of peroxide value — UV spectrometry Annex IX Spectrophotometric analysis — Organoleptic assessment Annex XII Organoleptic assessment of virgin olive oil — Ethyl esters Annex XX Method for the determination of the content of waxes, fatty acid methyl esters and fatty acid ethyl esters by capillary gas chromatography — 3,5-Stigmastadienes Annex XVII Method of determining stigmastadienes in vegetable oils ▼M28 — Trans isomers of fatty acids Annex X Determination of fatty acid methyl esters by gas chromatography — Fatty acids content Annex X Determination of fatty acid methyl esters by gas chromatography ▼M26 — ΔECN42 Annex XVIII Determination of the composition of triglycerides with ECN42 (difference between the HPLC data and theoretical content) — Sterols composition and total sterols — Erythrodiol and Uvaol Annex V Determination of the composition and content of sterols and triterpene dialcohols by capillary-column gas chromatography — Waxes Annex IV Determination of wax content by capillary-column gas chromatography ▼M28 — Aliphatic and triterpenic alcohols Annex XIX Determination of aliphatic and triterpenic alcohols content by capillary gas chromatography ▼M26 — Saturated fatty acids in position 2 Annex VII Determination of the percentage of 2-glyceryl monopalmitate

▼B









ANNEX II

▼M21

DETERMINATION OF FREE FATTY ACIDS, COLD METHOD

▼B

1. DETERMINATION OF ACIDITY

The determination of free fatty acids in olive oils. The content of free fatty acids is expressed as acidity calculated conventionally.

1.1. Principle

A sample is dissolved in a mixture of solvents and the free fatty acids present titrated using an ethanolic solution of potassium hydroxide.

1.2. Reagents

All the reagents should be of recognized analytical quality and the water used either distilled or of equivalent purity.

1.2.1. ►C1 Diethyl ether ◄ ; 95 % ethanol (v/v), mixture of equal parts by volume. Note: ►C1 Diethyl ether ◄ is highly inflammable and may form explosive peroxides. Special care should be taken in its use. Neutralize precisely at the moment of use with the potassium hydroxide solution (1.2.2), with the addition of 0,3 ml of the phenolpthalein solution (1.2.3) per 100 ml of mixture. Note: If it is not possible to use ►C1 diethyl ether ◄ , a mixture of solvents containing ethanol and toluene may be used. If necessary, ethanol may be replaced by propanol-2.

1.2.2. Potassium hydroxide, titrated ethanolic solution, c(KOH) about 0,1 mol/l or, if necessary, c(KOH) about 0,5 mol/l. The exact concentration of the ethanolic solution of potassium hydroxide must be known and checked immediately prior to use. Use a solution prepared at least five days before use and decanted into a brown glass bottle with a rubber stopper. The solution should be colourless or straw coloured. Note: A stable colourless solution of potassium hydroxide may be prepared as follows. Bring to the boil 1 000 ml of ethanol with 8 g of potassium hydroxide and 0,5 g of aluminium shavings and continue boiling under reflux for one hour. Distill immediately. Dissolve in the distillate the required quantity of potassium hydroxide. Leave for several days and decant the clear supernatant liquid from the precipitate of potassium carbonate. The solution may also be prepared without distillation as follows: to 1 000 ml of ethanol add 4 ml of aluminium butylate and leave the mixture for several days. Decant the supernatant liquid and dissolve the required quantity of potassium hydroxide. The solution is ready for use.

1.2.3. Phenolphthalein, 10 g/l solution in 95 to 96 % ethanol (v/v) or alkaline blue, (in the case of strongly coloured fats) 20 g/l solution in 95 to 96 % ethanol (v/v).

1.3. Apparatus

Usual laboratory equipment including:

1.3.1. analytical balance;

1.3.2. 250 ml conical flask;

1.3.3. 10 ml burette, graduated in 0,05 ml.

1.4. Procedure

1.4.1. Preparation of the specimen for testing (Carry out the test on the filtered sample. Where moisture and impurities together are less than 1 %, use the specimen without further treatment; where they exceed 1 %, it should be filtered.)

1.4.2. Taking the sample Take a sample depending on the presumed acid number in accordance with the following table:



Expected acid value Mass of sample (g) Weighing accuracy (g) < 1 20 0,05 1 to 4 10 0,02 4 to 15 2,5 0,01 15 to 75 0,5 0,001 > 75 0,1 0,0002 Weigh the sample in the conical flask (1.3.2).

1.4.3. Determination Dissolve the sample (1.4.2) in 50 to 150 ml of the previously neutralized mixture of diethyl ►C1 ether ◄ and ethanol (1.2.1). Titrate while stirring with the 0,1 mol/l solution of potassium hydroxide (1.2.2) (see Note 2) until the indicator changes (the pink colour of the phenolphtalein persists for at least 10 seconds). Note 1. The titrated ethanolic solution of potassium hydroxide (1.2.2) may be replaced by an aqueous solution of potassium or sodium hydroxide provided that the volume of water introduced does not induce phase separation. Note 2. If the quantity of 0,1 mol/l potassium hydroxide solution required exceeds 10 ml, use the 0,5 mol/l solution. Note 3. If the solution becomes cloudy during titration, add enough of the solvents (1.2.1) to give a clear solution.

1.5. Acidity: expressed as percentage of oleic acid

Acidity as a percentage by weight is equal to:

where:

V = the volume of titrated potassium hydroxide solution used, in millilitres;

c = the exact concentration in moles per litre of the titrated solution of potassium hydroxide used;

M = the molar weight in grams per mole of the acid used to express the result (= 282);

m = the weight in grams of the sample.

▼C1

Take as the result, the arithmetic mean ►M6 of two calculations ◄ carried out.

▼B









ANNEX III

DETERMINATION OF PEROXIDE VALUE

1. SCOPE

This Standard describes a method for the determination of the peroxide value of oils and fats.

2. FIELD OF APPLICATION

This Standard is applicable to animal and vegetable oils and fats.

3. DEFINITION

The peroxide value is the quantity of those substances in the sample, expressed in terms of milliequivalents of active oxygen per kilogram, which oxidize potassium iodide under the operating conditions described.

4. PRINCIPLE

Treatment of the test portion, in solution in acetic acid and chloroform, by a solution of potassium iodide. Titration of the liberated iodine with standardized sodium thiosulphate solution.

5. APPARATUS

All the equipment used shall be free from reducing or oxidizing substances.

Note:

Do not grease ground surfaces.

5.1. 3 ml glass scoop.

5.2. Flasks, with ground necks and stoppers, of about 250 ml capacity, dried beforehand and filled with a pure, dry inert gas (nitrogen or, preferably, carbon dioxide).

5.3. 25- or 50-ml burette, graduated in 0,1 ml.

6. REAGENTS

6.1. Chloroform, analytical reagent quality, freed from oxygen by bubbling a current of pure, dry inert gas through it.

6.2. Glacial acetic acid, analytical reagent quality, freed from oxygen by bubbling a current of pure, ►C1 dry inert gas ◄ through it.

6.3. Potassium iodide, saturated aqueous solution, recently prepared, free from iodine and iodates.

6.4. Sodium thiosulphate, 0,01 or 0,002 ►C1 Mol/L accurately ◄ standardized aqueous solution, standardized just before use.

6.5. Starch solution, 10 g/l aqueous dispersion, recently prepared from natural soluble starch.

7. SAMPLE

Take care that the sample is taken and stored away from the light, kept cold and contained in completely filled glass containers, hermetically sealed with ground-glass or cork stoppers.

8. PROCEDURE

The test shall be carried out in diffuse daylight or in artificial light. Weigh in a glass scoop (5.1) or, failing this, in a flask (5.2), to the nearest 0,001 g, a mass of the sample in accordance with the following table, according to the expected peroxide value:







Expected peroxide value (meq) Weight of test portion (g) 0 to 12 5,0 to 2,0 12 to 20 2,0 to 1,2 20 to 30 1,2 to 0,8 30 to 50 0,8 to 0,5 50 to 90 0,5 to 0,3

Unstopper a flask (5.2) and introduce the glass scoop containing the test portion. Add 10 ml of chloroform (6.1). Dissolve the test portion rapidly by stirring. Add 15 ml of acetic acid (6.2), then 1 ml of potassium iodide solution (6.3). Insert the stopper quickly, shake for one minute, and leave for exactly five minutes away from the light at a temperature from 15 to 25 °C.

Add about 75 ml of distilled water. Titrate the liberated iodine with the sodium thiosulphate solution ►C1 (6.4) (0,002 Mol/L solution for expected values less than 12, and 0,01 Mol/L solution ◄ for expected values above 12) shaking vigorously, using starch solution (6.5) as indicator.

Carry out two determinations on the same test sample.

Carry out simultaneously a blank test. If the result of the blank exceeds 0,05 ml of ►C1 0,01 mol/L sodium ◄ thiosulphate solution (6.4), replace the impure reagents.

9. EXPRESSION OF RESULTS

The peroxide value (PV), expressed in milliequivalents of active oxygen per kilogram, is given by the formula:

where:

V = the number of ml of the standardized sodium thiosulphate solution (6.4) used for the test, corrected to take into account the blank test;

T = ►C1 the exact molarity ◄ of the sodium thiosulphate solution (6.4) used;

m = the weight in g, of the test portion.

Take as the result the arithmetic mean of the two determinations carried out.

▼M21









ANNEX IV

DETERMINATION OF WAX CONTENT BY CAPILLARY COLUMN GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY

1. SUBJECT

This method describes a process for determining the wax content of olive oils. Waxes are separated according to the number of their carbon atoms. The method may be used in particular to distinguish between olive oil obtained by pressing and that obtained by extraction (olive-residue oil).

2. PRINCIPLE

Addition of a suitable internal standard to the fat or oil, then fractionation by chromatography on a hydrated silica gel column. Recovery under the test conditions of the fraction eluted first (the polarity of which is less than that of the triglycerides), then direct analysis by capillary column gas chromatography.

3. EQUIPMENT

3.1. 25 ml Erlenmeyer flask.

3.2. Glass column for gas chromatography, internal diameter 15,0 mm, length 30 to 40 cm, fitted with a stopcock.

3.3. Suitable gas chromatograph with a capillary column, equipped with a system for direct introduction into the column comprising the following: 3.3.1. Thermostatic chamber for the columns, equipped with a temperature programmer. 3.3.2. Cold injector for direct introduction into the column. 3.3.3. Flame ionisation detector and converter-amplifier. 3.3.4. Recorder-integrator capable of working with the converter-amplifier (3.3.3), rate of response no slower than 1 second, with variable paper speed. (It is also possible to use computerised systems that allow the acquisition of gas chromatography data via a PC.) 3.3.5. Glass or fused silica capillary column 8 to 12 m long and with an internal diameter of 0,25 to 0,32 mm, with liquid phase, with a uniform film thickness between 0,10 and 0,30 μm. (There are liquid phases suitable for the purpose of type SE-52 or SE-54 available on the market.)

3.4. 10 μl microsyringe for on-column injection, equipped with a hardened needle.

3.5. Electrovibrator.

3.6. Rotary evaporator.

3.7. Muffle furnace.

3.8. Analytical balance with guaranteed precision of ± 0,1 mg.

3.9. Normal laboratory glassware.

4. REAGENTS

4.1. Silica gel with a granule size of between 60 and 200 μm. Place the gel in the furnace at 500 °C for at least four hours. After cooling, add 2 % water in relation to the quantity of sampled silica gel. Shake well to homogenise the slurry. Keep in darkness for at least 12 hours prior to use.

4.2. n-hexane, for chromatography.

4.3. Ethyl ether, for chromatography.

4.4. n-heptane, for chromatography.

4.5. Standard solution of lauryl arachidate, at 0,1 % (m/v) in hexane (internal standard). (It is also possible to use palmityl palmitate or myristyl stearate.) 4.5.1. Sudan 1 (1-phenyl-azo-2-naphthol).

4.6. Carrier gas: hydrogen or helium, gas-chromatographic purity.

4.7. Auxiliary gases: — pure hydrogen for gas chromatography, — pure air for gas chromatography.

5. PROCEDURE

5.1. Preparation of the chromatographic column.

Suspend 15 g of silica gel (4.1) in the n-hexane (4.2) and introduce it into the column (3.2). Allow to settle spontaneously. Complete settling with the aid of an electrovibrator (3.5) to make the chromatographic layer more homogeneous. Percolate 30 ml of n-hexane to remove any impurities. Using the balance (3.8) weigh exactly 500 mg of the sample into the 25 ml Erlenmeyer flask (3.1), add the appropriate quantity of the internal standard (4.5) according to the presumed wax content. For example, add 0,1 mg of lauryl arachidate for olive oil, and 0,25 to 0,5 mg for olive-residue oil. Transfer the prepared sample to the chromotography column using two 2 ml portions of n-hexane (4.2).

Allow the solvent to flow away until it reaches 1 mm above the upper level of the absorbant then percolate a further 70 ml of n-hexane in order to eliminate the n-alkanes naturally present. Then start the chromatographic elution by collecting 180 ml of the mixture of n-hexane/ethyl ether (ratio 99:1), keeping a rate of flow of approximately 15 drops every 10 seconds. Elution of the sample must be carried out at a room temperature of 22 ± 4 °C.

NB:

— The n-hexane/ethyl ether mixture (99:1) must be prepared every day.

— For a visual check on the correct elution of the waxes 100 μl of 1 % Sudan in the elution mixture can be added to the sample in solution. Since the colourant has an intermediate retention, between waxes and triglycerides, when the coloration has reached the bottom of the column the elution should be suspended because all the waxes will have been eluted.

Dry the fraction thus obtained in a rotary evaporator (3.6.) until virtually all the solvent has been eliminated. Eliminate the final 2 ml of solvent with the aid of a weak current of nitrogen; then add 2-4 ml n-heptane.

5.2. Analysis by gas chromatography

5.2.1. Preparatory work

Fit the column to the gas chromatograph (3.3) by connecting the inlet port to the on-column system and the outlet port to the detector. Perform a general check on the GC apparatus (operation of gas circuits, detector and recorder efficiency, etc.).

If the column is being used for the first time it should be conditioned first. Pass a little gas through the column, then turn on the GC apparatus. Heat gradually until 350 °C is reached after about four hours. Maintain that temperature for at least two hours then regulate the apparatus to operating conditions (set gas flow, light flame, connect to the electronic recorder (3.3.4), set temperature of column chamber, detector, etc.) and record the signal at a sensitivity at least twice as high as that required for the analysis. The baseline must be linear, with no peaks of any kind, and must not show any deviation.

A negative straight-line drift indicates that the column connections are not tight; a positive drift that the column has not been sufficiently conditioned.

5.2.2. Choice of operating conditions

The operating conditions are generally as follows:

— column temperature: —



20 °C/minute 5 °C/minute 20 °C/minute Initially 80 °C (1′) → 240 °C → 325 °C (6′) → 340 °C (10′)

— detector temperature: 350 °C;

— quantity of substance injected: 1 μl of the n-heptane solution (2-4 ml);

— carrier gas: helium or hydrogen at the correct linear velocity for the gas selected (see Appendix);

— instrument sensitivity: suitable for the following conditions:

The conditions may be modified according to the characteristics of the column and the GC apparatus to obtain separation of all the waxes and a satisfactory peak resolution (see figure); the internal standard C32 retention time must be 18 ± 3 minutes. The most representative wax peak must be at least 60 % of the full scale.

The peak integration parameters must be established so as to obtain a correct evaluation of the areas of the peaks in question.

NB: Given the high final temperature, a positive drift of no more than 10 % of the full scale is permitted.

5.3. Performance of the analysis

Sample 1 μl of the solution using the 10 μl microsyringe; withdraw the syringe plunger so that the needle is empty. Place the needle in the injector and after 1-2 seconds inject quickly; remove the needle slowly after about five seconds.

Record until the waxes are completely eluted.

The base line must always satisfy the required conditions.

5.4. Identification of peaks

Identification of the different peaks should be based on retention time by comparison with wax mixtures of known retention times analysed under the same conditions.

The figure is a chromatogram of the waxes of a virgin olive oil.

5.5. Evaluation of quantity

Calculate the areas of the peaks of the internal standard and the aliphatic esters of C40 to C46 using the integrator.

Calculate the wax content of each of the esters in mg/kg fat using the formula:

where:

Ax = area of each ester’s peak, in square millimetres;

As = area of the internal standard’s peak, in square millimetres;

ms = mass of added internal standard, in milligrams;

m = mass of sample for analysis, in grams.

6. EXPRESSION OF RESULTS

Indicate the total of the contents of the various C40 to C46 waxes in mg/kg fat (ppm).

NB: The components to be quantified refer to the peaks with carbon pair numbers between esters C40 and C46, using the example of the olive oil wax chromatogram shown in the figure below. If ester C46 appears twice, it is recommended that to identify it the fraction of the waxes of an olive-residue oil should be analysed where the C46 peak is easy to identify because it is in the clear majority.

The results should be expressed to one decimal place.

Figure

Chromatogram of the waxes of an olive oil ( 7 )

Key:

I.S. = Lauryl arachidate

1. = Diterpenic esters

2 + 2′ = C40 esters

3 + 3′ = C42 esters

4 + 4′ = Esters C44

5. = C46 esters

6. = Sterol esters and triterpenic alcohol









Appendix

Determination of the linear velocity of the gas

Inject 1-3 μl methane (or propane) into the GC apparatus after it has been regulated to normal operating conditions. Measure the time it takes for the gas to flow through the column from the time it is injected to the time the peak appears (tM).

The linear velocity in cm/s is given by the formula L/tM, where L is the length of the column in cm and tM the time measured in seconds.

▼M26









ANNEX V

DETERMINATION OF THE COMPOSITION AND CONTENT OF STEROLS AND TRITERPENES DIALCOHOLS BY CAPILLARY-COLUMN GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY

1. SCOPE

The method describes a procedure for determining the individual and total sterols and triterpene dialcohols content of olive oils and olive-pomace oils.

2. PRINCIPLE

The oil, with added α-cholestanol as an internal standard, is saponified with potassium hydroxide in ethanolic solution and the unsaponifiable matter is then extracted with ethyl ether.

The sterols and triterpene dialcohols fraction is separated from the unsaponifiable matter by thin-layer chromatography on a basic silica gel plate. The fractions recovered from the silica gel are transformed into trimethylsilyl ethers and then analysed by capillary column gas chromatography.

3. APPARATUS

The usual laboratory equipment and in particular the following:

3.1. 250 ml flask fitted with a reflux condenser with ground-glass joints.

3.2. 500 ml separating funnel.

3.3. 250 ml flasks.

3.4. Complete apparatus for analysis by thin-layer chromatography using 20 x 20 cm glass plates.

3.5. Ultraviolet lamp with a wavelength of 254 or 366 nm.

3.6. 100 μl and 500 μl microsyringes.

3.7. Cylindrical filter funnel with a G3 porous septum (porosity 15-40 μm) of diameter approximately 2 cm and a depth of 5 cm, suitable for filtration under vacuum with male ground-glass joint.

3.8. 50 ml vacuum conical flask with ground-glass female joint, which can be fitted to the filter funnel (point 3.7).

3.9. 10 ml test tube with a tapering bottom and a sealing glass stopper.

3.10. Gas chromatograph suitable for use with a capillary column with split injection system, consisting of: 3.10.1. A thermostatic chamber for columns capable of maintaining the desired temperature with an accuracy of ± 1°C; 3.10.2. A temperature-adjustable injection unit with a persilanised glass vaporising element and split system; 3.10.3. A flame ionisation detector (FID); 3.10.4. Data acquisition system suitable for use with the FID detector (point 3.10.3.), capable of manual integration.

3.11. Fused-silica capillary column of length 20 to 30 m, internal diameter 0,25 to 0,32 mm, coated with 5 % diphenyl - 95 % dimethylpolysiloxane (SE-52 or SE-54 stationary phase or equivalent), to a uniform thickness between 0,10 and 0,30 μm.

3.12. Microsyringe, of 10 ml capacity, for gas chromatography, with cemented needle suitable for split injection.

3.13. Calcium dichloride desiccator

4. REAGENTS

4.1. Potassium hydroxide minimum titre 85 %.

4.2. Potassium hydroxide ethanolic solution, approximately 2 N. Dissolve 130 g of potassium hydroxide (point 4.1) with cooling in 200 ml of distilled water and then make up to one litre with ethanol (point 4.10). Keep the solution in well-stoppered dark glass bottles and stored maximum two days.

4.3. Ethyl ether, for analysis quality.

4.4. Potassium hydroxide ethanolic solution, approximately 0,2 N. Dissolve 13 g of potassium hydroxide (point 4.1) in 20 ml of distilled water and make up to one litre with ethanol (point 4.10).

4.5. Anhydrous sodium sulphate, for analysis quality.

4.6. Glass plates (20x20 cm) coated with silica gel, without fluorescence indicator, thickness 0,25 mm (commercially available ready for use).

4.7. Toluene, for chromatography quality.

4.8. Acetone, for chromatography quality.

4.9. n-Hexane, for chromatography quality.

4.10. Ethyl ether, for chromatography quality.

4.11. Ethanol of analytical quality.

4.12. Ethyl acetate of analytical quality.

4.13. Reference solution for thin-layer chromatography: cholesterol or phytosterols, and erythrodiol 5 % solution in ethyl acetate (point 4.11).

4.14. 2,7-dichlorofluorescein, 0,2 % in ethanolic solution. Make slightly basic by adding a few drops of 2 N alcoholic potassium hydroxide solution (point 4.2).

4.15. Anhydrous pyridine, for chromatography quality (see Note 5).

4.16. Hexamethyl disilazane of analytical quality.

4.17. Trimethylchlorosilane of analytical quality.

4.18. Sample solutions of sterol trimethylsilyl ethers. To be prepared at the time of use from sterols and erythrodiol obtained from oils containing them.

4.19. α-cholestanol, purity more than 99 % (purity must be checked by GC analysis).

4.20. α-cholestanol internal standard solution, 0,2 % solution (m/V) in ethyl acetate (point 4.11).

4.21. Phenolphthalein solution, 10 g/L in ethanol (point 4.10).

4.22. Carrier gas: hydrogen or helium, gas-chromatographic purity.

4.23. Auxiliary gases: hydrogen, helium, nitrogen and air, of gas-chromatographic purity.

4.24. n-Hexane (point 4.9)/ethyl ether (point 4.10) mixture 65:35 (V/V).

4.25. Silylation reagent, consisting of a 9:3:1 (V/V/V) mixture of pyridine/hexamethyl disilazane/trimethylchlorosilane.

5. PROCEDURE

5.1. Preparation of the unsaponifiable matter. 5.1.1. Using a 500 μl microsyringe (point 3.6) introduce into the 250 ml flask (point 3.1) a volume of the α-cholestanol internal standard solution (point 4.20) containing an amount of cholestanol corresponding to approximately 10 % of the sterol content of the sample. For example, for 5 g of olive oil sample add 500 μl of the α-cholestanol solution (point 4.20) and 1 500 μl for olive-pomace oil. Evaporate until dryness with a gentle current of nitrogen in a warm water bath, after cooling the flask, weigh 5 ± 0,01 g of the dry filtered sample into the same flask. Note 1: Animal or vegetable oils and fats containing appreciable quantities of cholesterol may show a peak having a retention time close to cholestanol. If this occurs, the sterol fraction will have to be analysed in duplicate with and without internal standard. 5.1.2. Add 50 ml of 2 N ethanolic potassium hydroxide solution (point 4.2) and some pumice, fit the reflux condenser and heat to gentle boiling until saponification takes place (the solution becomes clear). Continue heating for a further 20 minutes, then add 50 ml of distilled water from the top of the condenser, detach the condenser and cool the flask to approximately 30 °C. 5.1.3. Transfer the contents of the flask quantitatively into a 500 ml separating funnel (point 3.2) using several portions of distilled water (50 ml). Add approximately 80 ml of ethyl ether (point 4.10), shake vigorously for approximately 60 seconds, periodically releasing the pressure by inverting the separating funnel and opening the stopcock. Allow standing until there is complete separation of the two phases (Note 2). Then draw off the soap solution as completely as possible into a second separating funnel. Perform two further extractions on the water-alcohol phase in the same way using 60 to 70 ml of ethyl ether (point 4.10). Note 2: Any emulsion can be destroyed by adding small quantities of ethanol (point 4.11). 5.1.4. Combine the three ether extracts in one separating funnel containing 50 ml of water. Continue to wash with water (50 ml) until the wash water no longer gives a pink colour on the addition of a drop of phenolphthalein solution (point 4.21). When the wash water has been removed, filter on anhydrous sodium sulphate (point 4.5) into a previously weighed 250 ml flask, washing the funnel and filter with small quantities of ethyl ether (point 4.10). 5.1.5. Evaporate the solvent by distillation on a rotary evaporator at 30 °C under vacuum. Add 5 ml of acetone and remove the volatile solvent completely in a gentle current of air. Dry the residue in the oven at 103±2 °C for 15 min. Cool in desiccators and weigh to the nearest 0,1 mg.

5.2. Separation of the sterol and triterpene dialcohols fraction (erythrodiol + uvaol) 5.2.1. Preparation of the basic thin layer chromatography plates. Immerse the silica gel plates (point 4.6) about 4 cm in the 0,2 N ethanolic potassium hydroxide solution (point 4.5) for 10 seconds, then allow to dry in a fume cupboard for two hours and finally place in an oven at 100 °C for one hour. Remove from the oven and keep in a calcium chloride desiccator (point 3.13) until required for use (plates treated in this way must be used within 15 days). Note 3: When basic silica gel plates are used to separate the sterol fraction there is no need to treat the unsaponifiable fraction with alumina. In this way all compounds of an acid nature (fatty acids and others) are retained on the spotting line and the sterols band is clearly separated from the aliphatic and triterpene alcohols band. 5.2.2. Place hexane/ethyl ether mixture (point 4.24) (Note 4) into the development chamber, to a depth of approximately 1 cm. Close the chamber with the appropriate cover and leave thus for at least half an hour, in a cool place, so that liquid-vapour equilibrium is established strips of filter paper dipping into the eluent may be placed on the internal surfaces of the chamber. This reduces developing time by approximately one-third and brings about more uniform and regular elution of the components. Note 4: The developing mixture needs to be replaced for every test, in order to achieve perfectly reproducible elution conditions, alternative solvent 50:50 (V/V) n-hexane/ethyl ether may be used. 5.2.3. Prepare an approximately 5 % solution of the unsaponifiable (point 5.1.5) in ethyl acetate (point 4.12) and, using the 100 μl microsyringe, depose 0,3 ml of the solution on a narrow and uniform streak on the lower end (2 cm) of the chromatographic plate (point 5.2.1). In line with the streak, place 2 to 3 μl of the material reference solution (point 4.13), so that the sterol and triterpene dialcohols band can be identified after developing. 5.2.4. Place the plate in the developing chamber prepared as specified in point 5.2.2. The ambient temperature should be maintained between 15 and 20 °C (Note 5). Immediately close the chamber with the cover and allow eluting until the solvent front reaches approximately 1 cm from the upper edge of the plate. Remove the plate from the developing chamber and evaporate the solvent in a flow of hot air or by leaving the plate for a short while, under a hood. Note 5: Higher temperature could worsen the separation. 5.2.5. Spray the plate lightly and uniformly with the 2,7-dichlorofluorescein solution (point 4.14) and then leave to dry. When the plate is observed under ultraviolet light, the sterols and triterpene dialcohols bands can be identified through being aligned with the spots obtained from the reference solution (point 4.13). Mark the limits of the bands along the edges of the fluorescence with a black pencil (see TLC plate figure 3). 5.2.6. By using a metal spatula, scrape off the silica gel of the marked area. Place the finely comminuted material removed into the filter funnel (point 3.7). Add 10 ml of hot ethyl acetate (point 4.12), mix carefully with the metal spatula and filter under vacuum, collecting the filtrate in the conical flask (point 3.8.) attached to the filter funnel. Wash the residue in the flask three times with ethyl ether (point 4.3) (approximately 10 ml each time), collecting the filtrate in the same flask attached to the funnel, evaporate the filtrate to a volume of 4 to 5 ml, transfer the residual solution to the previously weighed 10 ml test tube (point 3.9), evaporate to dryness by mild heating, in a gentle flow of nitrogen, make up again using a few drops of acetone (point 4.8), evaporate again to dryness, The residue contained in the test tube must consist of the sterol and triterpene dialchols fractions.

5.3. Preparation of the trimethylsilyl ethers. 5.3.1. Add the silylation reagent (point 4.25) (Note 6), in the ratio of 50 μl for every milligram of sterols and triterpene dialcohols, in the test tube containing the sterol and triterpene fraction, avoiding any uptake of moisture (Note 7). Note 6: Ready for use solutions are available commercially. Other silylation reagents, such as, for example, bistrimethylsilyl trifluor acetamide + 1 % trimethylchlorosilane, which has to be diluted with an equal volume of anhydrous pyridine, are also available. Pyridine can be replaced by the same amount of acetonitrile. 5.3.2. Stopper the test tube, shake carefully (without overturning) until the compounds are completely dissolved. Leave to stand for at least 15 minutes at ambient temperature and then centrifuge for a few minutes. The clear solution is ready for gas chromatographic analysis. Note 7: The slight opalescence, which may form, is normal and does not cause any anomaly. The formation of a white flock or the appearance of a pink colour is indicative of the presence of moisture or deterioration of the reagent. If this occurs, the test must be repeated (only if hexamethyldisilazane/trimethylchlorosilane is used).

5.4. Gas chromatographic analysis. 5.4.1. Preliminary operations, capillary column conditioning. 5.4.1.1. Fit the column (point 3.11) in the gas chromatograph, by attaching the inlet end to the split injector and the outlet end to the detector. Carry out general checks on the gas chromatograph unit (leaks from the gas circuits, detector efficiency, efficiency of the splitting system and recording system, etc.). 5.4.1.2. If the column is being used for the first time, it is recommended that it be subjected to conditioning: passing a gentle flow of gas through the column itself, then switch on the gas chromatography unit and begin a gradual heating, up to a temperature of at least 20 °C above the operating temperature (Note 8). Hold this temperature for at least two hours, then place the entire unit in operating mode (adjustment of gas flows and splitting, ignition of the flame, connection with the computing system, adjustment of the column, detector and injector temperature, etc.) and then record the signal with a sensitivity at least two times greater than that one intended for the analysis. The course of the base line must be linear, without peaks of any kind, and must not show drift. A negative straight-line drift indicates leakage from the column connections; a positive drift indicates inadequate conditioning of the column. Note 8: The conditioning temperature must always be at least 20 °C less than the maximum temperature specified for the stationary phase used. 5.4.2. Choice of operating conditions. 5.4.2.1. The operating conditions are as follows: — Column temperature: 260 ± 5 °C; — Injector temperature: 280-300 °C; — Detector temperature: 280-300 °C; — Linear velocity of the carrier gas: helium 20 to 35 cm/s; hydrogen 30 to 50 cm/s; — Splitting ratio: from 1:50 to 1:100; — Instrument sensitivity: from 4 to 16 times the minimum attenuation; — Recording sensitivity: 1 to 2 mV full scale; — Amount of substance injected: 0,5 to 1 μl of TMSE solution. These conditions may be changed according to the characteristics of the column and gas chromatograph, so as to obtain chromatograms, which meet the following requirements: — The retention time for the ß-sitosterol peak should be at 20 ± 5 min; — The campesterol peak should be: for olive oil (mean content 3 %) 20 ± 5 % of full scale; for soybean oil (average content 20 %) 80 ± 10 % of full scale; — All the present sterols must be separated. In addition to being separated the peaks, they must also be completely resolved, i.e. the peak trace should return to the base line before leaving for the next peak. Incomplete resolution is, however, tolerated, provided that the peak at RRT 1,02 (Sitostanol) can be quantified using the perpendicular. 5.4.3. Analytical procedure 5.4.3.1. By using the 10 μl microsyringe, take 1 μl of hexane, draw in 0,5 μl of air and then 0,5 to 1 μl of the sample solution. Raise the plunger of the syringe further, so the needle is emptied. Push the needle through the membrane of the injector and after one to two seconds, inject rapidly, and then slowly remove the needle after around five seconds. An automatic injector can be used as well. 5.4.3.2. Carry out the recording until the TMSE of the present triterpene dialcohols are completely eluted. The base line must continue to meet the requirements (point 5.4.1.2). 5.4.4. Peak identification Identify individual peaks on the basis of retention times and by comparison with the mixture of sterol and triterpene dialcohols TMSE, analysed under the same conditions (see Appendix). The sterols and triterpene dialcohols are eluted in the following order: cholesterol, brassicasterol, ergosterol, 24-methylen-cholesterol, campesterol, campestanol, stigmasterol, Δ7-campesterol, Δ5,23-stigmastadienol, clerosterol, ß-sistosterol, sitostanol, Δ5-avenasterol, Δ5,24-stigmastadienol, Δ7-stigmastenol, Δ7-avenasterol, erythrodiol and uvaol. The retention times for ß-sitosterol, for SE-52 and SE-54 columns, are shown in Table 1. Figures 1 and 2 show typical chromatograms for some oils. 5.4.5. Quantitative evaluation. 5.4.5.1. Calculate the areas of the α-cholestanol and the sterol and triterpene dialcohols peaks by using the computing system. Ignore peaks for any compound which are not included (ergosterol must not be calculated) among those listed in Table 1. The response factor for α-cholestanol should be considered equal to 1. 5.4.5.2. Calculate the concentration of each individual sterol, in mg/kg of fatty material, as follows: where: Ax = peak area for sterol x, in computing system counts; As = area of the α-cholestanol peak, in computing system counts; ms = mass of added α-cholestanol, in milligrams; m = mass of the sample used for determination, in grams.

6. EXPRESSION OF THE RESULTS

6.1. Report individual sterol concentrations as mg/kg of fatty material and their sum as ‘total sterols’. The composition of each of the individual sterols and of the erythrodiol and uvaol should be expressed to one decimal point. Total sterol composition must be expressed without any decimal point.

▼M28

6.2. Calculate the percentage of each individual sterol from the ratio of the relevant peak area to the total peak area for sterols: where: Ax = peak area for x; ΣA = total peak area for sterols.

▼M26

6.3. Apparent β-sitosterol: Δ5-23-stigmastadienol + clerosterol + β-sitosterol + sitostanol + Δ5-avenasterol + Δ5-24-stigmastadienol.

6.4. Calculate the percentage of erythrodiol and uvaol: where ΣA = sum area for sterol in computing system counts; Er = area of Erythrodiol in computing system counts; Uv = area of Uvaol in computing system counts;









Appendix

Determination of the linear speed of the gas

With the gas chromatograph set to normal operating conditions, inject 1 to 3 μl of methane (or propane) and measure the time taken by the gas to pass through the column, from the time of injection to the time at which the peak appears (tM).

The linear speed in cm/s is given by L/tM, where L is the length of the column in centimetres and tM is the measured time, in seconds.







Table 1 Relative retention times for sterols Peak Identification Relative retention time SE 54 column SE 52 column 1 Cholesterol Δ-5-cholesten-3ß-ol 0,67 0,63 2 Cholestanol 5α-cholestan-3ß-ol 0,68 0,64 3 Brassicasterol [24S]-24-methyl-Δ-5,22-cholestadien-3ß-ol 0,73 0,71 * Ergosterol [24S] 24 methy Δ5-7-22 cholestatrien 3ß-ol 0,78 0,76 4 24-methylene-cholesterol 24-methylene-Δ-5,24-cholestadien-3ß-o1 0,82 0,80 5 Campesterol (24R)-24-methyl-Δ-5-cholesten-3ß-ol 0,83 0,81 6 Campestanol (24R)-24-methyl-cholestan-3ß-ol 0,85 0,82 7 Stigmasterol (24S)-24-ethyl-Δ-5,22-cholestadien-3ß-ol 0,88 0,87 8 Δ-7-campesterol (24R)-24-methyl-Δ-7-cholesten-3ß-ol 0,93 0,92 9 Δ-5,23-stigmastadienol (24R,S)-24-ethyl-Δ-5,23-choIestadien-3ß-ol 0,95 0,95 10 Clerosterol (24S)-24-ethyl-Δ-5,25-cholestadien-3ß-ol 0,96 0,96 11 ß-sitosterol (24R)-24-ethyl-Δ-5-cholesten-3ß-ol 1,00 1,00 12 Sitostanol 24-ethyl-cholestan-3ß-ol 1,02 1,02 13 Δ-5-avenasterol (24Z)-24-ethylidene-Δ-cholesten-3ß-ol 1,03 1,03 14 Δ-5-24-stigmastadienol (24R,S)-24-ethyl-Δ-5,24-cholestadien-3ß-ol 1,08 1,08 15 Δ-7-stigmastenol (24R,S)-24-ethyl-Δ-7-cholesten-3ß-ol 1,12 1,12 16 Δ-7-avenasterol (24Z)-24-ethylidene-Δ-7-cholesten-3ß-ol 1,16 1,16 17 Erythrodiol 5α olean-12en-3ß28 diol 1,41 1,41 18 Uvaol Δ12-ursen-3ß28 diol 1,52 1,52

Figure 1

Gas chromatogram of the sterol and triterpene dialchols fraction of a lampante olive oil (spiked with internal standard)

Figure 2

Gas chromatogram of the sterol and triterpene dialchols fraction of a refined olive oil (spiked with internal standard)

Figure 3

TLC plate olive-pomace oil with the zone that must be scraped for sterols and triterpenic dialcohols determination

1 – Squalene

2 – Triterpene and Aliphatic alcohols

3 – Sterols and Triterpenic dialcohols

4 – Start and free fatty acids

▼M26 —————

▼M21









ANNEX VII

DETERMINATION OF THE PERCENTAGE OF 2-GLYCERYL MONOPALMITATE

1. PURPOSE AND SCOPE

This method describes the analysis procedure for determining the percentage of palmitic acid in position 2 of the triglycerides by evaluating 2-glyceryl monopalmitate.

This method can be applied to liquid vegetable oils at ambient temperature (20 °C).

2. PRINCIPLE

After preparation the oil sample is subjected to the action of pancreatic lipase: partial and specific hydrolysis in positions 1 and 3 of the triglyceride molecule causes monoglycerides to appear in position 2. The percentage of 2-glyceryl monopalmitate in the monoglyceride fraction is determined after silylation by capillary-column gas chromatography.

3. APPARATUS AND MATERIALS

3.1. 25 ml Erlenmeyer flask

3.2. 100, 250 and 300 ml beakers

3.3. Glass chromatograph column, internal diameter 21-23 mm, length 400 mm, fitted with a sintered glass disc and a stopcock

3.4. 10, 50, 100 and 200 ml measuring cylinders

3.5. 100 and 250 ml flasks

3.6. Rotary evaporator

3.7. 10 ml conical-bottomed centrifuge tubes with groundglass stopper

3.8. Centrifuge for 10 and 100 ml tubes

3.9. Thermostat permitting a stable temperature of 40 ± 0,5 °C

3.10. 1 and 2 ml graduated pipettes

3.11. 1 ml hypodermic syringe

3.12. 100 μl microsyringe

3.13. 1 000 ml funnel

3.14. Capillary gas chromatograph with an on-column cold injector for direct injection of the sample into the column and a furnace able to maintain the selected temperature to approximately 1 °C

3.15. On-column cold injector for direct injection of the sample into the column

3.16. Flame ionisation detector and electrometer

3.17. Recorder-integrator adapted to the electrometer with a response rate no greater than 1 sec and a variable paper roll rate

3.18. Capillary column made of glass or fused silica 8-12 metres long, 0,25-0,32 mm internal diameter, covered with methylpolysiloxane or phenyl methylpolysiloxane 5 %, 0,10-0,30 μm thick, useable at 370 °C

3.19. 10 μl microsyringe fitted with a hardened needle, at least 7,5 cm long for direct on-column injection.

4. REAGENTS

4.1. Silica gel with a grain size of between 0,063 and 0,200 mm (70/280 mesh) prepared as follows: Place the silica gel in a porcelain capsule, dry in an incubator at 160 °C for four hours, then leave to cool at room temperature in a desiccator. Add water equivalent to 5 % of the mass of the silica gel as follows: Weigh 152 g silica gel into an Erlenmeyer flask then add 8 g of distilled water, stopper and shake gently to distribute the water evenly. Leave to stand for at least 12 hours before use.

4.2. n-hexane (for chromatography)

4.3. Isopropanol

4.4. Isopropanol, 1/1 (v/v) aqueous solution

4.5. Pancreatic lipase. It must have an activity of between 2,0 and 10 lipase units per mg. (Pancreatic lipases with an activity of between 2 and 10 units per mg enzyme are commercially available.)

4.6. Buffer solution of trishydroxymethylaminomethane: 1 M aqueous solution adjusted to pH 8 (potentiometric control) by conc. HCl (1/1 v/v)

4.7. Enzyme-quality sodium cholate, 0,1 % aqueous solution (this solution must be used within two weeks of its preparation)

4.8. Calcium chloride, 22 % aqueous solution

4.9. Diethyl ether for chromatography

4.10. Developer solvent: mixture of n-hexane/diethyl ether (87:13 v:v)

4.11. Sodium hydroxide, 12 % by weight solution

4.12. Phenolphthalein, 1 % solution in ethanol

4.13. Carrier gas: hydrogen or helium, for gas chromatography

4.14. Auxiliary gases: hydrogen, 99 % minimum purity, free from moisture and organic substances, and air, for gas chromatography, of the same purity

4.15. Silanisation reagent: mixture of pyridine/hexamethyldisilazane, trimethylchlorosilane 9/3/1 (v/v/v). (Ready-to-use solutions are commercially available. Other silylation reagents may be used, particularly bis-trimethylsilyl trifluoracetamide + 1 % trimethylchlorosilane, diluted with an identical volume of anhydrous pyridine.)

4.16. Reference samples: pure monoglycerides or monoglyceride mixtures with a known percentage composition similar to that of the sample.

5. METHOD

5.1. Sample preparation

5.1.1. Oils with a free acidity of less than 3 % do not need to be neutralised before chromatography on a silica gel column. Oils with a free acidity of more than 3 % must be neutralised as per point 5.1.1.1. 5.1.1.1. Pour 50 g of oil and 200 ml n-hexane into the 1 000 ml funnel (3.13). Add 100 ml of isopropanol and a quantity of 12 % sodium hydroxide solution (4.11) equivalent to the free acidity of the oil plus 5 %. Shake vigorously for one minute. Add 100 ml of distilled water, shake again and leave to stand. After decanting, remove the lower layer containing the soaps. Remove any intermediate layers (mucilage and insoluble substances). Wash the hexane solution of the neutralised oil with successive portions of 50-60 ml of the 1/1 (v/v) isopropanol/water solution (4.4) until the pink colouration of the phenolphthalein disappears. Remove most of the hexane by vacuum distillation (use a rotary evaporator, for example) and transfer the oil into a 100 ml flask (3.5). Dry the oil in vacuum until the solvent is completely removed. After that procedure is completed, the acidity of the oil should be less than 0,5 %.

5.1.2. Put 1,0 g of the oil prepared as above into a 25 ml Erlenmeyer flask (3.1) and dissolve in 10 ml of developer mixture (4.10). Leave the solution to stand for at least 15 minutes before silica gel column chromatography. If the solution is cloudy centrifuge it to ensure optimum conditions for chromatography. (Ready-to-use 500 mg silica gel SPE cartridges can be used).

5.1.3. Preparation of the chromatography column Pour about 30 ml of the developer solvent (4.10) into the column (3.3), insert a piece of cotton into the bottom part of the column using a glass rod; press to eliminate the air. In a beaker prepare a suspension of 25 g of silica gel (4.1) in about 80 ml of developer solvent and pour it into the column using a funnel. Check that all the silica gel is in the column; wash with developer solvent (4.10), open the stopcock and allow the liquid to reach a level about 2 mm above the level of the silica gel.

5.1.4. Column chromatography Weigh accurately 1,0 g of sample prepared as in point 5.1 into a 25 ml Erlenmeyer flask (3.1). Dissolve the sample in 10 ml of developer solvent (4.10). Pour the solution into the chromatography column prepared as in point 5.1.3. Avoid disturbing the surface of the column. Open the stopcock and pour the sample solution until it reaches the level of the silica gel. Develop with 150 ml of the developer solvent. Adjust the flow rate to 2 ml/min (so that 150 ml enters the column in about 60-70 minutes). Recover the eluate in a previously weighed 250 ml flask. Evaporate the solvent under vacuum and remove the final traces of the solvent under a nitrogen current. Weigh the flask and calculate the recovered extract. (If ready-to-use silica gel SPE cartridges are used use the following method: Put 1 ml of solution (5.1.2) into the prepared cartridges with 3 ml of n-hexane. After percolating the solution develop with 4 ml of n-hexane/diethyl ether 9/1 (v/v). Recover the eluate in a 10 ml tube and evaporate to dry in a nitrogen current. Expose the dry residue to pancreatic lipase (5.2). (It is essential to check the fatty acid composition before and after crossing the SPE cartridge.)

5.2. Hydrolysis by pancreatic lipase

5.2.1. Weigh into the centrifuge tube 0.1 g of the oil prepared as in point 5.1. Add 2 ml of buffer solution (4.6), 0,5 ml of the sodium cholate solution (4.7) and 0,2 ml of the calcium chloride solution, stirring well after each addition. Close the tube with the groundglass stopper and place in the thermostat at 40 + 0,5 °C.

5.2.2. Add 20 mg of lipase, shake carefully (avoid wetting the stopper) and place the tube in the thermostat for exactly two minutes. Then remove it, shake vigorously for exactly 1 minute and leave to cool.

5.2.3. Add 1 ml of diethyl ether, stopper and shake vigorously, then centrifuge and transfer the ether solution into a clean, dry tube using a microsyringe.

5.3. Preparation of the silanised derivatives and gas chromatography

5.3.1. With a microsyringe insert 100 μl of solution (5.2.3) into a 10 ml conical-bottomed tube.

5.3.2. Remove the solvent under a slight nitrogen current, add 200 μl of silanisation reagent (4.15), stopper the tube and leave to stand for 20 minutes.

5.3.3. After 20 minutes, add 1 to 5 ml of n-hexane (depending on the chromatography conditions): the resulting solution is ready for gas chromatography.

5.4. Gas chromatography

Operating conditions:

— Injector temperature (on-column injector) lower than solvent boiling point (68 °C);

— Detector temperature: 350 °C;

— Column temperature: programming of furnace temperature: 60 °C for 1 minute, increasing by 15 °C per minute up to 180 °C, then by 5 °C per minute up to 340 °C, then 340 °C for 13 minutes;

— Carrier gas: hydrogen or helium, set at a linear velocity sufficient to obtain the resolution reflected in Figure 1. The retention time of the C54 triglyceride must be 40 ± 5 minutes (see Figure 2). (The operating conditions indicated above are indicative. Operators will have to optimise them to obtain the desired resolution. The peak corresponding to 2-glyceryl monopalmitate must have a minimum height equal to 10 % of the recorder scale.)

— Quantity of substance injected: 0,5-1 μl of the n-hexane solution (5 ml) (5.3.3).

5.4.1. Identification of the peaks

The individual monoglycerides are identified from their retention times and by comparison with those obtained for standard monoglyceride mixtures under the same conditions.

5.4.2. Quantitative evaluation

The area of each peak is calculated using an electronic integrator.

6. EXPRESSION OF RESULTS

The percentage of glyceryl monopalmitate is calculated from the ratio between the area of the corresponding peak and the areas of the peaks of all the monoglycerides (see Figure 2) using the formula:

glyceryl monopalmitate (%):

where:

Ax = area of the peak corresponding to glyceryl monopalmitate

ΣA = sum of the areas of all the monoglyceride peaks

The result must be to one decimal place.

7. ANALYSIS REPORT

The analysis report must specify:

— reference to this method,

— all the information needed for a full identification of the sample,

— the analysis result,

— any deviation from the method, whether as the result of a decision by the parties concerned or for another reason,

— details to identify the laboratory, the date of the analysis and the signatures of those responsible for the analysis.

Figure 1

Chromatogram of the products of the silanisation reaction obtained by the action of lipase on a refined olive oil with 20 % esterified oil added (100 %)

Key: ‘acides gras libres’ = free fatty acids; ‘Huile d’olive raffinée + 20 % huile estérifiée’ = refined olive oil + 20 % esterified oil; ‘1-2 monopalmitoléine’ = 1-2 monopalmitolein; ‘1-2 mono C18 insat.’ = unsaturated 1-2 mono C18

Figure 2

Chromatogram of:

(A) unesterified olive oil, after lipase; after silanisation; under these conditions (8-12 m capillary column) the wax fraction is eluted at the same time as the diglyceride fraction or slightly afterwards. After lipase, the triglyceride content should not exceed 15 % Key: 1 = Free fatty acids 2 = Monoglycerides 3 = Diglycerides 4 = Triglycerides * = 2-monopalmitine ** = Triglyceride C54

Chromatogram of:

(B) unesterified oil after lipase; after silanisation; under these conditions (8-12 m capillary column) the wax fraction is eluted at the same time as the diglyceride fraction or slightly afterwards. After lipase, the triglyceride content should not exceed 15 %. Key: 1 = Free fatty acids 2 = Monoglycerides 3 = Diglycerides 4 = Triglycerides * = 2-monopalmitine ** = C54 triglyceride

8. NOTES

PREPARATION OF THE LIPASE

Lipases with satisfactory activity are commercially available. They can also be prepared in the laboratory in the following manner:

Cool to 0 °C 5 kg of fresh pig’s pancreas. Remove the surrounding solid fat and the connective tissue and grind to a liquid paste in a blender. Stir the paste with 2,5 litres of anhydrous acetone for 4-6 hours, then centrifuge. Extract the residue three more times with the same volume of anhydrous acetone, then twice with an acetone/diethyl ether mixture (1/1 v/v) and twice with diethyl ether.

Vacuum-dry the residue for 48 hours to obtain a stable powder which can be stored for a long time in a refrigerator away from moisture.

MONITORING LIPASE ACTIVITY

Prepare an olive oil emulsion as follows:

In a mixer stir for 10 minutes a mixture of 165 ml of a 100 g/l gum arabic solution, 15 g of crushed ice and 20 ml of a previously neutralised olive oil.

Pour 10 ml of the emulsion into a 50 ml beaker, then 0,3 ml of a 0,2 g/ml sodium cholate solution and then 20 ml of distilled water.

Put the beaker in a thermostat set at 37 °C; introduce the electrodes of the pH meter and the screw agitator.

Using a burette, add a 0,1 N sodium hydroxide solution drop by drop until a pH of 8,3 is obtained.

Add an aliquot of the lipase powder suspension in water (0,1 g/ml of lipase). As soon as the pH meter reads 8,3, start the chronometer and add the sodium hydroxide solution drop by drop at a rate which maintains the pH at 8,3. Note every minute the volume of solution consumed.

Record the data on an x/y graph with the time on the x-axis and millilitres of 0,1 N alkaline solution consumed to keep a constant pH on the y-axis. A linear graph should be obtained.

Lipase activity, expressed in lipase units per mg, is given by the following formula:

where:

A is activity in lipase units/mg

V is the number of millilitres of 0,1 N sodium hydroxide solution per minute (calculated on the basis of the graph)

N is the titre of the sodium hydroxide solution

m is the mass in mg of the test lipase.

A lipase unit is defined as the quantity of enzyme which releases 10 micro-equivalents of acid per minute.

▼M20 —————

▼M28









ANNEX IX

SPECTROPHOTOMETRIC INVESTIGATION IN THE ULTRAVIOLET

FOREWORD

Spectrophotometric examination in the ultraviolet can provide information on the quality of a fat, its state of preservation and changes brought about by technological processes. The absorption at the wavelengths specified in the method is due to the presence of conjugated diene and triene systems resulting from oxidation processes and/or refining practices. These absorptions are expressed as specific extinctions

(the extinction of 1 % w/v solution of the fat in the specified solvent, in a 10 mm cell) conventionally indicated by K (also referred to as ‘extinction coefficient’).

1. SCOPE

This Annex describes the procedure for performing a spectrophotometric examination of olive oil in the ultraviolet region.

2. PRINCIPLE OF THE METHOD

A sample is dissolved in the required solvent and the absorbance of the solution is measured at the specified wavelengths with reference to pure solvent.

The specific extinctions at 232 nm and 268 nm in iso-octane or 232 nm and 270 nm in cyclohexane are calculated for a concentration of 1 % w/v in a 10 mm cell.

3. EQUIPMENT

3.1. A spectrophotometer suitable for measurements at ultraviolet wavelengths (220 nm to 360 nm), with the capability of reading individual nanometric units. A regular check is recommended for the accuracy and reproducibility of the absorbance and wavelength scales as well as for stray light. 3.1.1. Wavelength scale: This may be checked using a reference material consisting of an optical glass filter containing holmium oxide or a holmium oxide solution (sealed or not) that has distinct absorption bands. The reference materials are designed for the verification and calibration of the wavelength scales of visible and ultraviolet spectrophotometers having nominal spectral bandwidths of 5 nm or less. The measurements are carried out against an air blank over the wavelength range of 640 to 240 nm, according to the instructions enclosed with the reference materials. A baseline correction is performed with an empty beam path at every slit width alteration. The wavelengths of the standard are listed in the certificate of the reference material. 3.1.2. Absorbance scale: This may be checked using commercially available sealed reference materials consisting of acidic potassium dichromate solutions, in certain concentrations and certified values of absorbance at its λmax (of 4 solutions of potassium dichromate in perchloric acid sealed in four UV quartz cells to measure the linearity and photometric accuracy reference in the UV). The potassium dichromate solutions are measured against a blank of the acid used, after baseline correction, according to the instructions enclosed with the reference material. The absorbance values are listed in the certificate of the reference material. Another possibility in order to check the response of the photocell and the photomultiplier is to proceed as follows: weigh 0,2000 g of pure potassium chromate for spectrophotometry and dissolve in 0,05 N potassium hydroxide solution in a 1 000 ml graduated flask and make up to the mark. Take precisely 25 ml of the solution obtained, transfer to a 500 ml graduated flask and dilute up to the mark using the same potassium hydroxide solution. Measure the extinction of the solution so obtained at 275 nm, using the potassium hydroxide solution as a reference. The extinction measured using a 1 cm cuvette should be 0,200 ± 0,005.

3.2. Rectangular quartz cuvettes, with covers, suitable for measurements at the ultraviolet wavelengths (220 to 360 nm) having an optical path-length of 10 mm. When filled with water or other suitable solvent the cuvettes should not show differences between them of more than 0,01 extinction units.

3.3. One- mark volumetric flasks, capacity 25 ml, class A.

3.4. Analytical balance, capable of being read to the nearest 0,0001 g

4. REAGENTS

During the analysis, unless otherwise stated, use only reagents of recognised analytical grade and distilled or demineralised water or water of equivalent purity.

Solvent: Iso-octane (2,2,4 trimethylpentane) for the measurements at 232 nm and 268 nm and cyclohexane for the measurements at 232 nm and 270 nm, having an absorbance less than 0,12 at 232 nm and less than 0,05 at 270 nm against distilled water, measured in a 10 mm cell.

5. PROCEDURE

5.1. The sample must be perfectly homogeneous and without suspended impurities. If not, it must be filtered through paper at a temperature of approximately 30 °C.

5.2. Weigh accurately approximately 0,25 g (to the nearest 1 mg) of the sample so prepared into a 25 ml graduated flask, make up to the mark with the specified solvent and homogenise. The resulting solution must be perfectly clear. If opalescence or turbidity is present, filter quickly through paper. NOTE: Generally, a mass of 0,25 to 0,30 g is sufficient for absorbance measurements of virgin and extra virgin olive oils at 268 nm and 270 nm. For measurements at 232 nm, 0,05 g of sample are usually required, so two distinct solutions are usually prepared. For absorbance measurements of olive pomace oils, refined olive oils and adulterated olive oils, a smaller portion of sample, e.g. 0,1 g is usually needed due to their higher absorbance.

5.3. If necessary, correct the baseline (220-290 nm) with solvent in both quartz cells (sample and reference), then fill the sample quartz cell with the test solution and measure the extinctions at 232, 268 or 270 nm against the solvent used as a reference. The extinction values recorded must lie within the range 0,1 to 0,8 or within the range of linearity of the spectrophotometer which should be verified. If not, the measurements must be repeated using more concentrated or more dilute solutions as appropriate.

5.4. After measuring the absorbance at 268 or 270 nm, measure the absorbance at λmax, λmax + 4 and λmax – 4. These absorbance values are used to determine the variation in the specific extinction (ΔΚ). NOTE: λmax is considered to be 268 nm for isooctane used as solvent and 270 nm for cyclohexane.

6. EXPRESSION OF THE RESULTS

6.1. Record the specific extinctions (extinction coefficients) at the various wavelengths calculated as follows: where: Kλ = specific extinction at wavelength λ; Eλ = extinction measured at wavelength λ; c = concentration of the solution in g/100 ml; s = path length of the quartz cell in cm; expressed to two decimal places.

6.2. Variation of the specific extinction (ΔΚ) The variation of the absolute value of the extinction (ΔΚ) is given by: where Km is the specific extinction at the wavelength for maximum absorption at 270 nm and 268 nm depending on the solvent used. The results should be expressed to two decimal places.









ANNEX X

DETERMINATION OF FATTY ACID METHYL ESTERS BY GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY

1. SCOPE

This Annex gives guidance on the gas chromatographic determination of free and bound fatty acids in vegetable fats and oils following their conversion into fatty acid methyl esters (FAME).

The bound fatty acids of the triacylglycerols (TAGs) and, depending on the esterification method, the free fatty acids (FFA), are converted into fatty acid methyl esters (FAME), which are determined by capillary gas chromatography.

The method described in this Annex allows the determination of FAME from C12 to C24, including saturated, cis- and transmonounsaturated and cis- and trans-polyunsaturated fatty acid methyl esters.

2. PRINCIPLE

Gas chromatography (GC) is used for the quantitative analysis of FAME. The FAME are prepared according to Part A. They are then injected into and vaporised within the injector. The separation of FAME is performed on analytical columns of specific polarity and length. A Flame Ionisation Detector (FID) is used for the detection of the FAME. The conditions of analysis are given in Part B.

Hydrogen or helium may be used as the carrier gas (mobile phase) in the gas chromatography of FAME with FID. Hydrogen speeds up separation and gives sharper peaks. The stationary phase is a microscopic layer of a thin liquid film on an inert solid surface made of fused silica.

As they pass through the capillary column the volatilised compounds being analysed interact with the stationary phase coating the inner surface of the column. Due to this different interaction of different compounds, they elute at a different time, which is called the retention time of the compound for a given set of analysis parameters. The comparison of the retention times is used for the identification of the different compounds.

PART A

PREPARATION OF THE FATTY ACID METHYL ESTERS FROM OLIVE OIL AND OLIVE-POMACE OIL

1. SCOPE

This part specifies the preparation of the methyl esters of fatty acids. It includes methods for preparing fatty acid methyl esters from olive and olive-pomace oils.

2. FIELD OF APPLICATION

The preparation of the fatty acid methyl esters from olive oils and olive-pomace oils are performed by transesterification with methanolic solution of potassium hydroxide at room temperature. The necessity of purification of the sample prior to the trans-esterification depends on the sample's free fatty acids content and the analytical parameter to be determined, it can be chosen according to the following table:







Category of oil Method Virgin olive oil with acidity ≤ 2,0 % 1. Fatty acids 2. trans-Fatty acids 3. ΔECN42 (after purification with silica-gel SPE) Refined olive oil Olive oil composed of refined olive oil and virgin olive oils Refined olive pomace oil Olive pomace oil Virgin olive oil with acidity > 2,0 % Crude olive pomace oil 1. Fatty acids (after purification with silica-gel SPE) 2. trans-Fatty acids (after purification with silica-gel SPE) 3. ΔECN42 (after purification with silica-gel SPE)

3. METHODOLOGY

3.1. Trans-esterification with methanolic solution of potassium hydroxide at room temperature

3.1.1. Principle

Methyl esters are formed by trans-esterification with methanolic potassium hydroxide as an intermediate stage before saponification takes place.

3.1.2. Reagents

3.1.2.1. Methanol containing not more than 0,5 % (m/m) water.

3.1.2.2. Hexane, chromatographic quality.

3.1.2.3. Heptane, chromatographic quality.

3.1.2.4. Diethyl ether, stabilised for analysis.

3.1.2.5. Acetone, chromatographic quality.

3.1.2.6. Elution solvent for purifying the oil by column/SPE chromatography, mixture hexane/diethyl ether 87/13 (v/v).

3.1.2.7. Potassium hydroxide, approximately 2M methanolic solution: dissolve 11,2 g of potassium hydroxide in 100 ml of methanol.

3.1.2.8. Silica gel cartridges, 1 g (6 ml), for solid phase extraction.

3.1.3. Apparatus

3.1.3.1. Screw-top test tubes (5 ml volume) with cap fitted with a PTFE joint.

3.1.3.2. Graduated or automatic pipettes, 2 ml and 0,2 ml.

3.1.4. Purification of oil samples

When necessary, the samples will be purified by passing the oil through a silica gel solid-phase extraction cartridge. A silica gel cartridge (3.1.2.8) is placed in a vacuum elution apparatus and washed with 6 ml of hexane (3.1.2.2); washing is performed without vacuum. Then a solution of the oil (0,12 g approximately) in 0,5 ml of hexane (3.1.2.2) is loaded onto the column. The solution is pulled down and then eluted with 10 ml of hexane/diethyl ether (87:13 v/v) (3.1.2.6). The combined eluates are homogenised and divided in two similar volumes. An aliquot is evaporated to dryness in a rotary evaporator under reduced pressure at room temperature. The residue is dissolved in 1 ml of heptane and the solution is ready for fatty acid analysis by GC. The second aliquot is evaporated and the residue is dissolved in 1 ml of acetone for triglyceride analysis by HPLC, if necessary.

3.1.5. Procedure

In a 5 ml screw-top test tube (3.1.3.1) weigh approximately 0,1 g of the oil sample. Add 2 ml of heptane (3.1.2.2), and shake. Add 0,2 ml of the methanolic potassium hydroxide solution (3.1.2.7), put on the cap fitted with a PTFE joint, tighten the cap, and shake vigorously for 30 seconds. Leave to stratify until the upper solution becomes clear. Decant the upper layer containing the methyl esters. The heptane solution is ready for injection into the gas chromatograph. It is advisable to keep the solution in the refrigerator until gas chromatographic analysis. Storage of the solution for more than 12 hours is not recommended.

PART B

ANALYSIS OF FATTY ACID METHYL ESTERS BY GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY

1. SCOPE

This part gives general guidance for the application of capillary column gas chromatography to determine the qualitative and quantitative composition of a mixture of fatty acid methyl esters obtained in accordance with the method specified in Part A.

The part is not applicable to polymerised fatty acids.

2. REAGENTS

2.1. Carrier gas

Inert gas (helium or hydrogen), thoroughly dried and with an oxygen content of less than 10 mg/kg.

Note 1: Hydrogen can double the speed of analysis but is hazardous. Safety devices are available.

2.2. Auxiliary gases

2.2.1. Hydrogen (purity ≥ 99,9 %), free from organic impurities.

2.2.2. Air or oxygen, free from organic impurities.

2.2.3. Nitrogen (purity > 99 %).

2.3. Reference standard

Mixture of methyl esters of pure fatty acids, or the methyl esters of a fat of known composition, preferably similar to that of the fatty matter to be analysed. Cis and trans isomers of octadecenoic, octadecadienoic and octadecatrienoic methyl esters are useful for the identification of trans isomers of unsaturated acids.

Care should be taken to prevent the oxidation of polyunsaturated fatty acids.

3. APPARATUS

The instructions given are for the usual equipment used for gas chromatography, employing capillary columns and a flame-ionisation detector.

3.1. Gas chromatograph

The gas chromatograph shall comprise the following elements.

3.1.1. Injection system

Use an injection system with capillary columns, in which case the injection system should be specially designed for use with such columns. It may be of the split type or the splitless on-column injector type.

3.1.2. Oven

The oven shall be capable of heating the capillary column to a temperature of at least 260 °C and of maintaining the desired temperature to within 0,1 °C. The last requirement is particularly important when a fused silica tube is used.

The use of temperature-programmed heating is recommended in all cases, and in particular for fatty acids with less than 16 carbon atoms.

3.1.3. Capillary column

3.1.3.1. Tube, made of a material inert to the substances to be analysed (usually glass or fused silica). The internal diameter shall be between 0,20 to 0,32 mm. The internal surface shall undergo an appropriate treatment (e.g. surface preparation, inactivation) before receiving the stationary phase coating. A length of 60 m is sufficient for fatty acid and cis and trans isomers of fatty acids.

3.1.3.2. Stationary phase, polar polysiloxane (cyanopropylsilicone) bonded (cross-linked) columns are suitable. Note 2: There is a risk that polar polysiloxanes may give rise to difficulties in the identification and separation of linolenic acid and C20 acids. The coatings shall be thin, i.e. 0,1 to 0,2 μm.

3.1.3.3. Assembly and conditioning of the column Observe the normal precautions for assembling capillary columns, i.e. arrangement of the column in the oven (support), choice and assembly of joints (leak tightness), positioning of the ends of the column in the injector and the detector (reduction of dead-spaces). Place the column under a flow of carrier gas (e.g. 0,3 bar (30 kPa) for a column of length 25 m and internal diameter 0,3 mm). Condition the column by temperature programming of the oven at 3 °C/min from ambient temperature to a temperature 10 °C below the decomposition limit of the stationary phase. Maintain the oven at this temperature for one hour until stabilisation of the baseline. Return it to 180 °C to work under isothermal conditions. Note 3: Suitably pre-conditioned columns are available commercially.

3.1.4. Flame ionisation detector and converter-amplifier

3.2. Syringe

The syringe shall have a maximum capacity of 10 μl, graduated in 0,1 μl divisions.

3.3. Data acquisition system

Data acquisition system connected online with the detectors and employed with a software program suitable for peak integration and normalisation.

4. PROCEDURE

The operations described in 4.1 to 4.3 are for the use of a flame-ionisation detector.

4.1. Test conditions

4.1.1. Selection of optimum operating conditions for capillary columns

Owing to the efficiency and permeability of capillary columns, the separation of the constituents and the duration of the analysis are largely dependent on the flow-rate of the carrier gas in the column. It will therefore be necessary to optimise the operating conditions by adjusting this parameter (or simply column head loss) depending on whether the aim is to improve separation or speed up analysis.

The following conditions have proved to be suitable for the separation of FAMEs (C4 to C26). Examples of chromatograms are shown in Appendix B:







Injector temperature: 250 °C Detector temperature: 250 °C Oven temperature: 165 °C (8 min) to 210 °C at 2 °C/min Carrier gas hydrogen: column head pressure, 179 kPa Total flow: 154,0 ml/min; Split ratio: 1:100 Injection volume: 1 μl

4.1.2. Determination of the resolution (see Appendix A)

Calculate the resolution, R, of two neighbouring peaks I and II, using the formula:

R = 2 × ((ddr(II) – dr(I) )/(ω(I) + ω(II))) or R = 2 × ((tr(II) – tr(I) )/(ω(I) + ω(II))) (USP) (United States Pharmacopeia),

or

R = 1,18 × ((tr(II) – tr(I))/(ω0,5(I) + ω0,5(II))) (EP, BP, JP, DAB), (JP (Japanese Pharmacopeia), EP (Pharmacopée Européenne), BP (British Pha