13C NMR analysis of the triacylglycerol composition of Greek virgin olive oils

Abstract

High-resolution 13C NMR spectroscopy was used to study the potential of the method for the quantitative analysis of the most abundant fatty acids in the triacylglycerols of virgin olive oil samples harvested at different geographic areas of Greece. The analysis of the results was compared with data obtained with gas chromatography. Both methods showed results that differed only by 1–2 mol% of the fatty acids. NMR data provided the α/β ratio of oleic and linoleic acids. The results showed a preference for the β-position in these unsaturated acids. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.