Description:
The former IUPAC commission on Oils, Fats, and Derivatives was
a major contributor to the development of standard methods of analysis
for the international edible fats and oils industry. This group
of experts supported the publication of a compendium of methods
currently available as the 7th edition. IUPAC and AOAC International
have also been major contributors to the standard method process
by cooperating in the production of protocols and setting levels
of expectation for the collaborative study of laboratory methods.
Trace element contamination of food grade fats and oils is regulated
by Codex Alimentarius and national standards. The levels of certain
elements poses a problem for the processing industry. Atomic absorption
spectrometry has been a common technique applied to the measurement
of trace element content. The expense involved in instrument maintenance,
the requirements for sample handling and the poor reproducibility
of the results when tested on a random sample, suggests that a more
reliable technique is required. ICP-OES is a popular alternative
method for trace element determination. It allows for the direct
aspiration of solvent diluted fats and oils and gives results without
the prior ashing step. At this time there is no international standard
method using ICP-OES for trace elements. A study is proposed which
would measure trace elements in oil using ISO 5725 and IUPAC harmonized
guidelines. Laboratories affiliated with AOCS and FOSFA International,
and also those proposed by ISO/TC 34/SC 11 from locations around
the world will be invited to participate. According to the collaborative
study protocols a minimum of 8 laboratories from 5 countries are
required to participate. Normally approximately 15 laboratories
are needed. The elements (Cadmium, Calcium, Copper, Iron, Lead,
Magnesium, Nickel, Silicon and Sodium) will be present as multi-element
mixtures at 5 different levels applicable to the oil industry.
