Simultaneous HPLC-DAD Analysis of Tocopherols, Phytosterols, and Squalene in Vegetable Oil Deodorizer Distillates

A simple and accurate HPLC-DAD method has been developed for simultaneous determination of tocopherols (alpha, (beta + gamma), and delta-tocopherols), phytosterols (campesterol, beta-sitosterol, and stigmasterol), and squalene in vegetable oil deodorizer distillates (VODD). Chromatographic separation was performed on a C-18 column with a mobile phase gradient prepared from 98:2 (v/v) methanol-water and isopropanol, at a flow rate of 1.0 mL min(-1), in 33 min, at 30 A degrees C. Tocopherols, phytosterols, and squalene were detected at 296, 210, and 210 nm, respectively. Recoveries ranged from 92.4 to 103.8 %. Limits of quantification were in the range 0.50-2.50 mu g mL(-1). The proposed method was successfully used for simultaneous analysis of tocopherols, phytosterols, and squalene in VODD.