Simultaneous analysis of BHA, TBHQ, BHT and propyl gallate by gas chromatography as extracted from refined vegetable oil

Abstract A method has been developed for the simultaneous gas chromatographic (GC) analysis of 4 phenolic antioxidants extracted from refined cottonseed oil. The antioxidants in the study were butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA), tertiary butyl hydroquinone (TBHQ), butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT), and propyl gallate (PG). The method involves extraction with acetonitrile, followed by silyl derivatization prior to GC injection. The method was applied to a study designed to measure the percentage of recovery of each antioxidant at the 100 ppm level over a two‐week time span. Statistical treatment of the results indicate there is no significant time trend in any of the 4 antioxidants. The percentage recoveries range from 84% to 108%. The standard deviations for the analysis range from 8 ppm to 10.2 ppm.