Development of ISO18363-4 / AOCS Cd29f-2021: A new standardized method to quantify MCPDE and GE in edible oils

In August 2021 the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) has published part 4 to the ISO 18363 series of methods to quantify MCPD- and glycidyl esters in edible oils. AOCS will follow by publishing the method as AOCS Cd 29f-2021 in 2022. This new method describes a high throughput method for the quantification of these process contaminants, for which the EU has recently updated its legislation on the maximum levels allowed in edible oils. In short, its chemistry is based on fast alkaline transesterification of the fat matrix, which also cleaves the MCPDE and GE esters before the analytes are derivatization and analysis by GC-MS/MS. An in vitro correction for glycidol overestimation, which can occur in alkaline environment, is included. In the fall of 2018 both ISO and AOCS technical committees agreed to standardize the method in cooperation. An overview is given of the standardization project together with statistical data collected during the collaborative study together with a short introduction to the chemistry of the method.