Commission Regulation (EEC) No 3942/92 of 22 December 1992 establishing a reference method for the determination of sitosterol and stigmasterol in butteroil
Date: 1992-12-22
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: analytical chemistry, butter oil, food inspection, preparation for market













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31992R3942

Commission Regulation (EEC) No 3942/92 of 22 December 1992 establishing a reference method for the determination of sitosterol and stigmasterol in butteroil  


Official Journal L 399 , 31/12/1992 P. 0029 - 0038 Finnish special edition: Chapter 3 Volume 47 P. 0149  Swedish special edition: Chapter 3 Volume 47 P. 0149  





COMMISSION  REGULATION (EEC) N° 3942/92 of 22 December 1992 establishing a reference method for the  determination of sitosterol and stigmasterol in butteroilTHE COMMISSION OF THE  EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Economic Community, Having regard to Council Regulation (EEC) N° 804/68 of 27 June 1968 on the common organization of  the market in milk and milk products (1), as last amended by Regulation (EEC) N° 2071/92 (2), and  in particular Article 6 thereof, Whereas butteroil has to be traced and the traced butteroil has to be controlled according to  Commission Regulation (EEC) N° 3143/85 (3) as last amended by Regulation (EEC) N° 1264/92 (4), and  in particular Articles 5 and 6 thereof; Whereas butteroil may be traced and the traced products have to be controlled according to  Commission Regulation (EEC) N° 570/88 (5) as last amended by Regulation (EEC) N° 124/92 (6), and in  particular Articles 3 and 6 thereof; Whereas butteroil has to be traced and the traced butteroil has to be controlled according to  Commission Regulation (EEC) N° 429/90 (7), as last amended by Regulation (EEC) N° 1264/92, and in  particular Articles 10 and 11 thereof; Whereas strict compliance with the conditions relating to the tracing of butteroil is essential in  order to prevent the risk of unauthorized use of subsidized butter; Whereas taking account of the importance of tracing in the proper functioning of these schemes it  is necessary to establish common methods for detection of all tracers  required by these schemes  applicable in the same way throughout the Community; this would in particular ensure equal  treatment of all operators having access to these schemes and eliminate unequal conidtions of  competition which may result at present, as a consequence of different national methods of  analysis. Whereas it is difficult to establish such reference methods for all tracers simultaneously; whereas  establishing a reference method for the determination of stigmasterol and sitosterol in butteroil  constitutes a first step in this direction; Whereas the measures provided for in this Regulation are in accordance with the opinion of the  Management Committee for Milk and Milk Products, HAS ADOPTED THIS REGULATION: Article 1 The reference method of analysis specified in the Annex shall be  applied, if the stigmasterol content of butteroil has to be determined according to Article 6 of  Regulation (EEC) N° 3143/85, Article 6 of Regulation (EEC) N° 570/88 or Article 11 of Regulation  (EEC) N° 429/90 respectively. Furthermore, the referene method shall be applied, if the  â-sitosterol content of butteroil has to be determined according to Article 6 of Regulation (EEC)  N° 570/88. Butteroil has been traced correctly if the results obtained are in accordance with the requirements  specified in paragraph 8 of this Annex. Article 2 This Regulation shall enter into force on the third day following its publication in  the Official Journal of the European Communities. It shall apply from 1 February 1993. This Regulation shall be binding in its entirety and directly applicable in all  Member States. Done at Brussels, 22 December 1992. For the Commission Ray Mac Sharry Member of the Commission    (1) OJ N° L 148, 28. 6. 1968, p. 13.  (2) OJ N° L 215, 30. 7. 1992, p. 64.  (3) OJ N° L 298, 12. 11. 1985, p. 9.  (4) OJ N° L 135, 19. 5. 1992, p. 5.  (5) OJ N° L 55, 1. 3. 1988, p. 31.  (6) OJ N° L 14, 21. 1. 1992, p. 28.  (7) OJ N° L 45, 21. 2. 1990, p. 8. ANNEX DETERMINATION OF SITOSTEROL OR STIGMASTEROL IN BUTTEROIL BY CAPILLARY-COLUMN GAS  CHROMATOGRAPHY 1. SCOPE AND FIELD OF APPLICATION The method describes a procedure for the quantitative determination of sitosterol or stigmasterol  in butteroil. Sitosterol is taken to be the sum of B-sitosterol and 22 dihydro B sitosterol, other  sitosterols are assumed to be insignificant. It is applicable to samples received under Regulations  (EEC) N° 3143/85, (EEC) N° 570/88 and (EEC) N° 429/90. 2. PRINCIPLE The butteroil is saponified with potassium hydroxide in ethanolic solution and the unsaponifiables  are extracted with diethyl ether. The sterols are transformed into trimethyl-silyl ethers and are analysed by capillary-column gas  chromatography with reference to an internal standard betulin. 3. APPARATUS 3.1 150 ml saponification flask fitted with a reflux condenser having ground-glass joints. 3.2 500 ml separating funnels. 3.3 250 ml flasks. 3.4 Pressure euqalising funnels, 250 ml or similar, to collect waste diethyl ether. 3.5 Glass column, 350 mm × 20 mm fitted with sintered glass plug. 3.6 Waterbath or isomantle. 3.7 Reaction vials, 2 ml. 3.8 Gas chromatograph suitable for use with a capillary column, provided with a splitting system  consisting of: 3.8.1 a thermostatic chamber for columns capable of maintaining the desired temperature with an  accuracy of ± 1 °C; 3.8.2 a temperature-adjustable vaporisation unit; 3.8.3 a flame ionization detector and converter amplifier; 3.8.4 an integrator-recorder suitable for use with the converter-amplifier (3.8.3). 3.9 A fused-silica capillary column entirely coated with BP1 or equivalent in a uniform thickness  0,25 ìm; the column must be capable of resolving trimethyl silyl derivatives of lanosterol and  sitosterol, a BP1, length 12 m, internal diameter 0,2 mm is suitable. 3.10 A 1 ìl gas chromatography microsyringe with hardened needle. 4. REAGENTS All reagents must be of recognized analytical grade. The water used must be distilled water or  water of at least equivalent purity. 4.1 Ethanol, at least 95 % pure. 4.2 Potassium hydroxide, 60 % solution, dissolve 600 g potassium hydroxide (minimum 85 %) in water  and make up to one litre with water. 4.3 Betulin of at least 99 % purity. 4.3.1 Internal standard solutions. Betulin in diethyl ether (4.4). 4.3.1.1 The concentration of betulin solution used for sitosterol determination should be 1,0  mg/ml; 4.3.1.2 The concentration of betulin solution used for stigmasterol determination should be 0,4  mg/ml. 4.4 Diethyl ether, analytical purity (free from peroxides or residue). 4.5 Sodium sulphate, anhydrous, granular previously dried at 2 °C for two hours. 4.6 Silylating reagent, for example TRI-SIL (available from Pierce Chemical Co, Cat N° 49001) or  equivalent. (WARNING: TRI-SIL is flammable toxic, corrosive and a possible carcinogen. Laboratory  personnel must be familiar with TRI-SIL safety data and take the appropriate precautions.) 4.7 Lanosterol. 4.8 Sitosterol, of known purity not less than 90 % pure (P). Note 1: The purity of standard materials used for calibration must be determined using the method  of normalisation. Assume that all sterols present in the sample are represented on the chromatogram  the total area of the peaks represents 100 % of the sterol constituents and that the sterols give  the same detector response. Linearity of the system must be validated over the concentration ranges  of interest. 4.8.1 Sitosterol standard solution - prepare a solution containing, to the nearest 0,001 mg/ml,  approximately 0,5 mg/ml (W1) sitosterol (4.8) in diethyl ether (4.4). 4.9 Stigmasterol, of known purity not less than 90 % pure (P). 4.9.1 Stigmasterl standard solution - prepare a solution containing, to the nearest 0,001 mg/m,  approximately 0,2 mg/ml (W1) stigmasterol (4.9) in diethyl ether (4.4). 4.10 Resolution test mixture. Prepare a solution containing 0,05 mg/ml lanosterol (4.7) and 0,5  mg/ml sitosterol (4.8) in diethyl ether (4.4). 5. PROCEDURE 5.1 Preparation of standard solutions for chromatography. The internal standard solution (4.3.1)  must be added to the appropriate sterol standard solution at the same time as it is added to the  saponified sample (see 5.2.2). 5.1.1 Sitosterol standard chromatographic solution; transfer 1 ml of sitosterol standard solution  (4.8.1) to each of two reaction vials (3.7) and remove the diethyl ether with a stream of nitrogen.  Add 1 ml of internal standard solution (4.3.1.1) and remove the diethyl ether with a stream of  nitrogen. 5.1.2 Stigmasterol standard chromatographic solution; transfer 1 ml of stigmaasterol standard  solution (4.9.1) to each of two reaction vials (3.7) and remove the diethyl ether with a stream of  nitrogen. Add 1 ml of internal standard solution (4.3.1.2) and remove the diethyl ether with a  stream of nitrogen. 5.2 Preparation of the unsaponifiables. 5.2.1 Weigh, to the nearest 1 mg, approximately 1 g of butteroil (W2) into a 150 ml flask (3.1).  Add 50 ml ethanol (4.1) and 10 ml potassium hydroxide solution (4.2). Fit the reflux condenser and  heat at approximately 75 °C for 30 minutes. Detach the condenser and cool the flask to  approximately ambient temperature. 5.2.2 Add 1,0 ml of internal standard solution (4.3.1.1) to the flask if sitosterol is to be  determined, or (4.3.1.2) if stigmasterol is to be determined. Mix thoroughly. Transfer the contents  of the flask quantitatively into a 500 ml separating funnel (3.2) washing the flask in turn with 50  ml water and 250 ml diethyl ether (4.4). Shake the separating funnel vigorously for two minutes and  alow the phases to separate. Run of the lower aqueous layer and wash the ether layer by shaking  with four successive 100 ml aliquots of water. Note 2: To avoid formation of an emulsion, it is essential that the first two water washes are  carried out gently (10 inversions). The third wash can be shaken vigorously for 30 seconds. If an  emulsion is formed it can be destroyed by the addition of 5-10 ml of ethanol. If ethanol is added  it is essential to carry out a further two vigorous water washes. 5.2.3 Pass the clear, soap free ether layer through a glass column (3.5) containing 30 g anhydrous  sodium sulphate (4.5). Collect the ether in a 250 ml flask (3.3). Add one anti-bumping granual and  evaporate to near dryness an a water or isomantle, taking care to collect the waste solvents. Note 3: If sample extracts are taken to complete dryness at too high a temperature sterol losses  may occur. 5.3 Preparation of trimethyl silyl ethers. 5.3.1 Transfer the ether solution remaining in the flask to a 2 ml reaction vial (3.7) with 2 ml  diethyl ether and remove the ether using a stream of nitrogen. Wash the flask with two further 2 ml  aliquots of diethyl ether, transferring to the vial and removing the ether with nitrogen each  time. 5.3.2 Silylate the sample by addition of 1 ml TRI-SIL (4.6). Close the vial and shake vigorously to  dissolve. If dissolution is five incomplete, warm to 65-70 °C. Allow to stand for at least five  minutes before injecting into the gas-chromatograph. Silylate standards in the same way as samples.  Silylate the resolution test mixture (4.10) in the same way as samples. Note 4: Silylation must be affected in a water free environment. Incomplete silylation of betulin  is indicated by a second peak close to that of betulin. The presence of ethanol at the silylation stage will interfere with silylation. This may result  from inadequate washing at the extraction stage. If this problem persists a fifth wash, shaken  vigorously for 30 seconds, may be introduced at the extraction stage. 5.4 Gas-Chromatographic analysis. 5.4.1 Choice of operating conditions. Set up the gas-chromatograph according to the manufacturers instructions. The guideline operating conditions are as follows: - column temperature 265 °C - injector temperature 280 °C - detector temperature 300 °C - carrier gas flow rate 0,6 ml/minute - hydrogen pressure 84 kPa - air pressure 155 kPa - sample split 10:1 to 50:1, the split ratio must be optimised in accordance with the manufacturers  instructions and linearity of detector response then validated over the concentration range of  interest. Note 5: It is especially important that the injection liner is regularly cleared. - amount of substance injected 1 ìl of TMSE solution. Allow the system to equilibrate and obtain a satisfactory stable response before commencing any  analysis. These conditions may be varied in the light of column and gas-chromatograph characteristics so as  to obtain chromatograms which meet the following requirements: - the sitosterol peak must be adequately resolved from lanosterol. Figure 1 shows a typical  chromatogram which should be obtained from a silylated resolution test mixture (4.10), - the relative retention times of the following sterols should be approximately: Cholesterol 1,0 Stigmasterol 1,3 Sitosterol 1,5 Betulin 2,5, - the retention time for betulin should be approximately 24 minutes. 5.4.2 Analytical procedure. Inject 1 ìl of silylated standard solution (stigmasterol or sitosterol) and adjust the integrator  calibration parameters. Inject a further 1 ìl of silylated standard solution to determine the response factors with  reference to betulin. Inject 1 ìl of silylated sample solution and meaure peak areas. Each chromatographic run must e  bracketed by an injection of standards. As a guide, six injections of sample should be included in  each bracketed run. Note 6: Integration of the stigmasterol peak should include any tailing as defined by points 1, 2  and 3 in Figure 2b. Integration of the sitosterol peak should include the area of the 22 dihydro B sitosterol  (stigmastanol) peak which elutes immediately after sitosterol, see Figure 3b, when evaluating total  sitosterol. 6. CALCULATION OF RESULTS 6.1 Determine the area of the sterol peaks and betulin peaks in both standards bracketing a batch,  and calculate R1: R1 = Average peak area of betulin in standard Average peak area of sterol in standard Determine the area of the sterol peak (stigmasterol of sitosterol) and betulin peak in the sample  and calculate R2: R2 = Peak area of betulin in sample Peak area of sterol in sample W1 = sterol content of the standard (mg) contained in 1 ml of standard solution (4.8.1 or 4.9.1). W2 = weight of sample (g) (5.2.1). P = purity of standard sterol (4.8 or 4.9). Sterol content of the sample (mg/kg) =  R2 R1  ×  W1 W2  × P × 10. 7. ACCURACY OF THE METHOD 7.1 Repeatability. 7.1.1 Stigmasterol. The difference between the results of two determinations carried out within the shortest feasible  time interval, by one operator using the same apparatus on identical test material shall not exceed  10,2 mg/kg. 7.1.2 Sitosterol The difference between the results of two determinations carried out within the shortest feasible  time interval, by one operator using the same apparatus on identical test material shall not exceed  3,6 % relative of the mean of the determinations. 7.2 Reproducibility. 7.2.1 Stigmasterol. The difference between the results of two determinations carried out by operators in different  laboratories, using different apparatus on identical test material shall not exceed 25,3 mg/kg. 7.2.2 Sitosterol. The difference between the results of two determinations carried out by operators in different  laboratories, using different apparatus on identical test material shall not exceed 8,9 % relative  of the mean of the determinations. 7.3 Source of precision data. The precision data were determined from an experiment conducted in 1991 involving nine laboratories  and six samples (three blind duplicates) for stigmasterol; six samples (three blind duplicates) for  sitosterol. 8. TOLERANCE LIMITS 8.1 Three samples must be taken from the traced product in order to check on homogeneity. 8.2 Stigmasterol 8.2.1 The incorporation rate for stigmasterol is 150 grams of at least 95 % pure stigmasterol per  tonne of butteroil, ie 142,5 mg/kg; or 170 grams of at least 85 % pure stigmasterol per tonne of  butteroil, ie 144,5 mg/kg. 8.2.2 Taking the Critical Difference for a 95 % probability level (CrD95) into consideration, the  mean of the three results shall not be less than in the case of incorporation of 95 % pure stigmasterol, 128,3 mg/kg, in the case of incorporation of 85 % pure stigmasterol, 130,3 mg/kg. 8.2.3 In addition to the criteria given in 8.2.2 the lowest result obtained from analysis of the  product is used to check homogeneity of tracer distribution. This is done by a comparison with the  following limits: - 120,4 mg/kg (95 % of the minimum incorporation rate for 95 % pure stigmasterol, single sample  CrD95 taken into consideration) - 122,3 mg/kg (95 % of the minimum incorporation rate for 85 % pure stigmasterol, single sample  CrD95 taken into consideration) - 99,0 mg/kg (80 % of the minimum incorporation rate for 95 % pure stigmasterol, single sample  CrD95 taken into consideration) - 100,6 mg/kg (80 % of the minimum incorporation rate for 85 % pure stigmasterol, single sample  CrD95 taken into consideration). The tracer concentration in the sample giving the lowest result is used in confunction with  interpolation respectivels between 120,4 mg/kg and 99,0 mg/kg or 122,3 mg/kg and 100,6 mg/kg. 8.3 Sitosterol 8.3.1. The incorporation rate for sitosterol is 600 grams of at least 90 % pure sitosterol per tone  of butteroil, ie 540 mg/kg. 8.3.2. Taking the CrD95 into consideration the mean of the three results shall not be less than  513,0 mg/kg. 8.3.3. In addition to the criterion given in 8.3.2 the lowest result obtained from analysis of the  product is used to check homogeneity of tracer distribution. This is done by comparison with the  following limits: - 484,4 mg/kg (95 % of the minimum incorporation rate for 90 % pure sitosterol, single sample CrD95  taken into consideration) - 403,4 mg/kg (80 % of the minimum incorporation rate for 90 % pure sitosterol, single sample CrD95  taken into consideration). The tracer concentration in the sample giving the lowest result is used in conjunction with  interpolation between 484,4 mg/kg and 403,4 mg/kg. >START OF GRAPHIC> >END OF GRAPHIC>>START OF GRAPHIC> >END OF GRAPHIC>>START OF GRAPHIC> >END  OF GRAPHIC>