Abstract
Vegetable oils contain endogenous linear hydrocarbons, namely n-alkanes, ranging from n-C21 to n-C35, with odd chain lengths prevalent. Different vegetable oils, as well as oils of the same type, but of different variety and provenience, show typical n-alkane patterns, which could be used as a fingerprint to characterize them. In the first part of this review, data on the occurrence of n-alkanes in different vegetable oils (total and predominant n-alkanes) are given, with a focus on obtaining information regarding variety and geographical origin. The second part aims to provide the state of the art on available analytical methods for their determination. In particular, a detailed description of the sample preparation protocols and analytical determination is reported, pointing out the main drawbacks of traditional sample preparation and possible solutions to implement the analysis with the aim to shift toward rapid and solvent-sparing methods.
Highlights
Introduction nAlkanes are non-polar, stable and scarcely reactive organic compounds, named paraffins, which in Latin means “with a scarce chemical affinity” [1]
In practice all the methods developed for mineral oil analysis, except those designed to eliminate n-alkanes, can be used for evaluating endogenous n-alkanes in vegetable oils
From the various works examined in the present review, it emerged that different types of vegetable oils show a significantly different n-alkane pattern
Summary
Alkanes are non-polar, stable and scarcely reactive organic compounds, named paraffins, which in Latin means “with a scarce chemical affinity” [1]. They consist of linear saturated hydrocarbon chains following the general formula Cn H2n+2. Together with squalene, they represent the main components of the unsaponifiable fraction that represents ~1–2% of the oil weight. N-Alkanes are widely distributed in both plants and other living organisms. Compared to higher plant n-alkanes, soil includes hydrocarbons with a wider molecular range, from n-C21 to n-C47 [7]
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