A direct GC-FID method for analysis of palm-based fatty alcohol carbon chain distribution

Palm oil-based fatty alcohol is a basic oleochemical with many different applications depending on its carbon chain length. The carbon chain distribution using a GC-flame ionization detector (GC-FID) is a quality control tool for monitoring the composition of either single or blended fatty alcohol. There is a published GC-FID method but it requires a derivatization step. The objective of this work is to develop a derivatization-free method with simple preparation steps. It can be used for routine analysis of the carbon chain distribution to determine the composition of palm-based fatty alcohol. The GC-FID method developed used a ZB-FFAP (60 m x 0.25 mm i.d., 0.25 mu m film thickness) consisting of polyethylene glycol bonded nitroterephthalic acid phase for separation of eight types of fatty alcohol with a run time of 40 min. The method showed good validation parameters performance in terms of accuracy (as compared with FAL standards), linearity (R-2 > 0.9999) and intraday and intermediate precision (CV < 0.05% for retention time and CV < 1.5% for peak area). Monitoring of commercial FAL from local manufacturers showed that the composition was consistent with the required specifications.

Automated summary

The objective of this study was to develop a derivatization-free method with simple preparation steps for routine analysis of the carbon chain distribution to determine the composition of palm-based fatty alcohol. The developed GC-FID method showed good validation parameters performance and the monitoring of commercial FAL from local manufacturers showed consistent composition with the required specifications.