Glycidyl esters in refined palm (Elaeis guineensis) oil and related fractions. Part I: Formation mechanism

► Fatty acid ester of glycidol, a proven carcinogenic and genotoxic compound, are formed during palm oil refining. ► Reactions were performed to understand the parameters involved in the formation of glycidyl esters. ► Formation mechanism of glycidyl esters from diacylglycerols and monoacylglycerols are proposed and discussed. ► For the first time the occurrence and putative formation mechanism of fatty acid esters of oxopropanol is as well reported.