Application and verification of direct transesterification as a method to quantify fatty acids in cement and concrete

Fatty acids are increasingly being evaluated as phase change materials to enhance thermal regulation in buildings and as hydrophobic admixtures to reduce water ingress into concrete. This paper describes the development of a method for the rapid and accurate quantification of fatty acids in cement and concrete. The method is based on direct (in situ) transesterification of fatty acids into fatty acid methyl esters and their subsequent extraction in a single step, followed by quantification by gas chromatography. The method was validated using cement treated with olive oil and milk and showed a proportional relationship between dosing and fatty acids quantified. This method provides an accurate alternative to existing qualitative procedures.