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.