Fatty acid profile emphasizing trans-fatty acids in commercially available soybean and palm oils and its probable intake in Bangladesh

The study aimed to determine the trans-fat content in branded and unbranded soybean oil (SBO) and palm oil (PO) in nationally representative samples of Bangladesh. To our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive study reporting the Trans fatty acid (TFA) content in commonly consumed SBO and PO in Bangladesh. 106 composites (SBO 67, PO 39) were analyzed by GC-MS using Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC) Methodology 996.06. According to the study, TFA (>2%) was detected in 66.7% of branded and 24.5% of unbranded SBO samples, but in none of the palm oil samples. The average TFA content in branded and unbranded SBO were 2.79% (ranging from 0.42% to 4.84%) and 1.70% (ranging from 0%-4.25%) respectively. Total TFA ranged from 0%-1.61% with a mean of 0.9% and 0.61% for branded and unbranded PO samples, respectively. From a daily intake of 27g oil, Bangladeshi population has a probable TFA consumption of 0.75g/day and 0.46g/day from branded SBO and PO, respectively. This study generated evidence about the presence of an elevated level of TFA in edible oil which should be strictly monitored.