A Rapid Method of Fatty Acid Analysis of Oil from Individual Corn (<i>Zea mays</i> L.) Kernels¹

Abstract

Five chromatograms of the fatty acid composition of oil of 2 kernels from each of 8 entries were used in comparing 3 gas‐liquid chromatographic procedures. Procedures 1 and 2 had a column temperature of 235 C and recorder chart speed of 2 and 3 inches per minute, respectively. Procedure 3 had a column temperature of 200 C and chart speed of 1 inch per minute. Differences in entries, procedures, and kernels in entries were highly significant. However, variance components estimates showed that procedures and kernels in entries contributed little to the total variance. Standard errors and coefficients of variation were similar for all procedures. Accurate fatty acid analyses were obtained in less than 3 minutes by procedures 1 and 2.