Detection and monitoring of 3-monochloropropane-1,2-diol (3-MCPD) esters in cooking oils

A series of refined palm oil products were collected from different refineries in Malaysia and were analysed for 3-MCPD esters content. Samples were analysed using acidic transesterification and quantification by Gas Chromatography-Mass Selective Detector (GC-MSD). This method is based on the Federal German Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) Method 008 for 3-MCPD esters. Limit of Detection (LOD) for this method was 0.25 mg kg−1 and Limit of Quantification (LOQ) was 0.50 mg kg−1 3-MCPD esters were generally not detected in crude oils, but were found at trace levels in bleached oils. Deodorized or fully refined oils contained higher 3-MCPD esters. The values ranged from <0.25-5.77 mg kg−1 for palm oil products, whilst other cooking oils in the retail ranged from <0.25-2.45 mg kg−1.

► 3-MCPD esters was found in refined palm oil up to 5.8 mg kg−1 ► Crude oils showed levels from non-detectable to 0.9 mg kg−1 ► Fractionation of palm oil causes partition of the esters in the liquid phase.