Determination of esters of fatty acids with low molecular weight alcohols in olive oils.

A simple and precise analytical method was developed for the simultaneous determination of squalene and methyl, ethyl, propyl, and butyl esters of fatty acids present in olive and olive pomace oils. A fraction containing squalene and fatty acid alkyl esters was isolated from the oil by solid phase extraction on silica gel cartridges and quantitatively analyzed by gas chromatography. A modification of the procedure allowed the isolation of squalene and esters separately. Repeatability and recovery of the method were good. The method was applied to extra and lampant virgin olive oil categories and also to oils obtained from olive pomace by second centrifugation and solvent extraction. Extra virgin olive oils contained low amounts of fatty acid methyl and ethyl esters, while oils obtained from altered olive or olive pomace showed high concentrations of fatty acid alkyl esters, mainly ethyl esters. Correlation between oil acidity and ethyl esters concentration was poor.