Rapid Analysis of Free Erythrodiol and Uvaol in Olive Oils by Coupled Reversed Phase Liquid Chromatography−Gas Chromatography

On-line coupling of reversed phase liquid chromatography and gas capillary chromatography (RPLC−GC) using a programmed temperature vaporizer (PTV) as interface is used for the direct analysis of erythrodiol and uvaol of edible oils by direct injection (i.e., without the need for prior enrichment of the sample). The reported procedure allows 2000 μL volume fractions of aqueous methanol eluents to be transferred into the GC system, 2000 μL/min being the speed of sample introduction. Relative standard deviations lower than 1.5% and detection limits lower than 1 ppm were obtained. The proposed method can be used to determine extra virgin olive oil adulterations as detection of an addition (10% (w/w)) of a solvent extracted oil to a cold pressed oil was achieved in less than 40 min on the basis of the determination of erythrodiol and uvaol.