M03.004 Determination of fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) by GC-FID

Fatty acids are the major components of lipids and oils. The properties of lipid classes depend primarily on their fatty acid composition. Due to its high molecular mass and resulting low volatility, fatty acid composition is determined as the methyl esters of fatty acids (FAME) by gas-liquid chromatography with FID detector. FAMES are produced by transesterification between triglycerides and methanol in the presence of sodium hydroxide. These methyl esters are solved in hexane and analysed with GC-FID. Evaluation is based on external calibration, results are reported in g/kg or percent by weight.