Simultaneous determination of long-chain aliphatic aldehydes and waxes in olive oils

A procedure for the simultaneous determination of long-chain aliphatic aldehydes, and aliphatic and triterpenic waxes in virgin olive oils is described. A fraction containing these compounds was isolated from the oil using solid-phase extraction on silica-gel cartridges. The fraction was analyzed by capillary GC on 35%-dimethyl–65%-diphenylpolysiloxane phase using on-column injection. In extra virgin olive oils, the long-chain aliphatic aldehydes with even carbon atom numbers from C22 to C30 were identified by comparison of retention times and mass spectra with those of synthesized standards. The concentration of total aldehydes ranged from 20.2 to 108.0 mg/kg—n-hexacosanal being the most abundant aldehyde. The determination of aliphatic waxes was achieved with similar or better precision than that of the EU official methods.