Rapid micropreparation procedure for the gas chromatographic–mass spectrometric determination of BHT, BHA and TBHQ in edible oils

Abstract: A rapid, accurate and organic solvent saving procedure has been developed for the GC/MS determination of three phenolic antioxidants butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butyl hydroquinone (TBHQ) in vegetable oils. The method involves two-step microextraction and a centrifugal procedure in a 2mL autosampler vial, consuming only 50mg sample and total 1mL acetonitrile. Recoveries of the phenolic antioxidants when spiked to soya bean oil, peanut oil and cereal cooking oil at 50, 200 and 250mg/kg, respectively were in the ranges 95.6–104.3% for BHT, 99.7–107.5% for BHA and 93.6–103.8% for TBHQ with the relative standard deviation (RSD) were less than 3% for their independent measurements. The developed method was repeatable and could be applied to determine trace amounts of phenolic antioxidants in vegetable oils. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]