Abstract
An analytical method was investigated for the simultaneous detection and determination of tert-butylhydroquinone (TBHQ), BHA and BHT in edible oil by thin layer and gas chromatography.
The method was as follows. The sample was dissolved in n-pentane and extracted with acetonitrile. The acetonitrile extract was separated into TBHQ, BHA and BHT by thin layer chromatography using silica gel. The spots were detected on TLC by spraying with 2, 6-dichloroquinone-4-chloroimide, phosphomolybdic acid and dimethylamine as chromogenic reagents. Dimethylamine showed a coloring reaction only for TBHQ. In the cace of gas chromatography, simultaneous determination of TBHQ, BRA and BHT was possible using an OV-17 or SE-30 column.
The recoveries of TBHQ, BHA and BHT added to various edible oils were in the ranges of 89-97%, 93-99% and 87-95%, respectively.
The present method was found to be satisfactory for the simultaneous determination of TBHQ, BHA and BHT in edible oil.
