AOAC 2013.06 Sterol Composition in Vegetable Oils
The AOAC International Standard Method 2013.06 is a widely recognized procedure for determining the sterol composition in vegetable oils. This method provides essential information on the presence and concentration of cholesterol, phytosterols, and other sterols that are naturally occurring or added to enhance nutritional value.
Vegetable oils enriched with plant sterols have been shown to reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels in the blood. Thus, understanding their sterol profile is crucial for quality assurance, compliance with dietary regulations, and enhancing product labels. This service ensures that you receive accurate data on the sterol composition of your vegetable oils.
The procedure involves several steps, including sample preparation, extraction of sterols using chloroform-methanol mixture, derivatization, and analysis by gas chromatography. The method is designed to be sensitive enough to detect even minor components that could affect health claims or product performance.
Our team uses state-of-the-art equipment such as gas chromatographs equipped with mass selective detectors (GC-MS/MS) for precise quantification. This ensures accurate and reliable results, which are essential for compliance with international standards like ISO 15662:2010 and FDA regulations.
The importance of sterol content cannot be overstated in the food & feed testing sector. Plant sterols contribute to the overall nutritional profile, influencing health claims and regulatory requirements. By offering this service, we support your compliance efforts, ensuring that products meet stringent quality standards.
| Use Case | Description |
|---|---|
| Dietary Supplement Compliance | Ensure compliance with regulations regarding the sterol content in dietary supplements. |
| Product Labeling Accuracy | Validate claims related to cholesterol-lowering properties on product labels. |
| Quality Assurance | Monitor sterol composition during production and distribution cycles. |
| Packaging Compliance | Verify the sterol content in packaged products for accurate labeling. |
| Research & Development | Support R&D activities to understand the impact of sterols on various formulations. |
| Supplier Verification | Evaluate sterol profiles from suppliers to ensure consistency and quality. |
| Health Claim Validation | Provide data that supports health claims related to sterols in food products. |
| Consumer Protection | Ensure the sterol content aligns with consumer expectations for dietary health benefits. |
The AOAC 2013.06 method is not only critical for compliance but also plays a key role in enhancing the nutritional value and safety of vegetable oil products. By leveraging this service, you can ensure that your products meet international standards and provide accurate health claims.
Scope and Methodology
The AOAC 2013.06 method is designed to determine the sterol composition in vegetable oils through a series of precise steps. The first step involves sample preparation, which includes homogenizing the oil samples to ensure uniform sterol distribution. This process ensures that all sterols are available for extraction.
The extraction phase utilizes chloroform-methanol (2:1) as an efficient solvent system. This mixture is capable of extracting both free and esterified sterols from the matrix, providing a comprehensive profile of the sterol content. Following extraction, the samples undergo derivatization using trifluoroacetic acid to enhance detection by gas chromatography.
The analysis is performed on an Agilent 7890A GC coupled with an Agilent 5977A mass selective detector (MSD). This setup allows for high sensitivity and selectivity, enabling the detection of even minor sterols present in complex mixtures. The method typically involves running a calibration curve to ensure accurate quantification of sterol concentrations.
Acceptance criteria are based on the limits set by relevant standards such as ISO 15662:2010 and FDA regulations for plant sterol enrichment levels. These criteria help in determining whether the sterol profile meets expected health claims or regulatory requirements.
Environmental and Sustainability Contributions
The AOAC 2013.06 method contributes to environmental sustainability by providing accurate data on the sterol composition of vegetable oils, which is essential for compliance with dietary regulations and enhancing product labels. This service helps in reducing the risk of non-compliance, which can lead to costly penalties or damage to brand reputation.
By ensuring that the sterol content aligns with consumer expectations and regulatory requirements, this method supports sustainable practices within the food & feed industry. It promotes the use of natural ingredients and ensures that products are produced in a way that minimizes environmental impact.
The precision and reliability offered by our AOAC 2013.06 service enable manufacturers to make informed decisions about ingredient selection, product labeling, and marketing strategies. This not only enhances consumer trust but also supports the overall sustainability goals of the industry.
