Evaluation of an automated hydrolysis and extraction method for quantification of total fat, lipid classes and trans fat in cereal products

The utility of an automated acid hydrolysis–extraction (AHE) system was evaluated for extraction of fat for the quantification of total, saturated, polyunsaturated, monounsaturated, and trans fat in cereal products. Oil extracted by the AHE system was assessed for total fat gravimetrically and by capillary gas chromatography (GC) for total fat, lipid classes, and trans fat. All AHE system results were compared with parallel determinations using the standard AOAC Method 996.01 or a modified version for trans fatty acids. For gravimetric and gas chromatographic evaluations, the AHE system results were equivalent to those using the standard AOAC Method (α = 0.01). Thus, the AHE oil extraction system can be used for measurement of total, saturated, polyunsaturated, monounsaturated, and trans fat with sufficient accuracy for nutrition labeling purposes, while having the advantages of reduced use of solvent, operator exposure to solvent, operator time, and potential for operator error.