Determination of Propyl Gallate in Some Vegetable Oil Samples by Thin Layer Chromatography - Image Analysis Method

A convenient and low cost thin layer chromatography (TLC) - image analysis method was developed for the determination and quantification of propyl gallate PG in some vegetable oil samples. Chromatographic separation of PG was achieved on silica gel TLC plates using benzene-ethyl acetate-methanol-glacial acetic acid as a mobile phase and Folin-Denis , s reagent for spot detection . Image analysis of the TLC plates using a scanner linked to a computer was performed to quantify the amount of PG, the approach was accurate , specific, reliable for the analysis of PG in the selected oil samples, with the possibility of analyzing simultaneously 25 samples in addition to the standard curve spots. Propyl gallate calibration curve was linear up to 1 µg/spot with a detection limit 0.16 µg/spot. The results of analyzing PG using the previous approach were compared to a standard procedure employing HPLC method.