Healthy Fat in Chips and Sausages? A new Method for Extraction, Digestion and Analysis of Fat in Food Samples

A new method for the determination of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids in food samples such as chocolate, milk powder, sausages, and potato chips has been developed. The method consists of a fast and gentle microwave process in a closed system for sample preparation and the determination of fatty acids using gas chromatography with flame ionisation detection (GC-FID). The analytical data are compared with results of the same food samples generated on the conventional ISO procedures and advantages of the new method are explained.

Introduction

The REGULATION (EU) No 1169/ 2011 OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT requires the detailed declaration of nutrition values for food as of 2016, especially the differentiation of fat in saturated and unsaturated fatty acids [1]. This differentiation is important in order to protect consumers. For example, the American Dietetic Association (ADA), the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the American ‘Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics’ recommend covering less than 35% of the body’s daily energy requirements by fat; according to ADA, less than 20% should be monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA).
Determination of total fat content as well as unsaturated and saturated fatty acids in food is performed using methods based on ISO standards. Depending on the type of food, methods like Röse-Gottlieb or Weibull-Stoldt extraction are used for the determination of total fat content [2,3].
The following analysis of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids is done using gas chromatography (GC-FID). This analysis requires the derivatisation of fatty acids in fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) based on the ISO norm [4].
Unsaturated fatty acids are sensitive to oxidation processes generated through contact with air and influence of heat. That’s why a gentle microwave process has been developed which is applied in a closed system in two steps for various food compartments. This new microwave procedure is faster, cheaper and more environmentally friendly than the conventional ISO procedure.
It is assumed that the oxidation sensitive unsaturated fatty acids are treated more gently in the microwave process and oxidation is thereby minimised, resulting in higher analytical levels of unsaturated
fatty acids.

Methods

Conventional ISO procedure:
The conventional standard procedure is based on the ISO extraction method (ISO 8262) for total fat determination in milk and milk products according to Weibull-Berntrop and the derivatisation of fatty acids in fatty acid methyl esters (FAMEs) based on the ISO method (DIN EN ISO 12966-2).
The ISO 8262 method serves as a base and correlates with the extraction method of Weibull-Stoldt for the determination of total fat content in food samples.
The ISO extraction method according to Weibull-Stoldt is based on a saponified digestion using hydrochloric acid and water, which releases fat bound to proteins in food samples. In the following hot filtration, the fat released remains in the filter. The filter including the fat is washed to neutral and then dried. Finally, the fat is extracted with a proper solvent in a Soxhlet extractor, taking several hours. As soon as the extraction is finished, the solvent is removed using a rotation evaporator and the remainder is dried. Determination of total fat is performed by weighing the dried fat.
Based on the ISO procedure on sample preparation for GC analysis, the transformation of fatty acids in fatty acids methyl esters (FAMEs) requires a sequence of alkaline and acidic derivatisation in
water-free methanolic environment.
The alkaline derivatisation generates the FAMEs out of the fatty acids bound as Triglycerides and the saponification of free fatty acids. The following acidic derivatisation finally transfers the remaining saponified fatty acids in FAMEs.
The reaction equations are displayed in Figures 1 and 2.
Microwave procedure:
The new microwave procedure for determination of fat has been developed for the microwave system Discover SP-X® (CEM, Kamp Lintfort). It consists of a microwave extraction method (MEM) and a microwave derivatisation method (MDM).
The MEM has been developed based on the Weibull-Stoldt method and extracts the total fat in a food sample in a closed system under defined conditions using microwave radiation simultaneously.
In a closed system (including MDM), derivatisation of the extracted fatty acids is performed under microwave radiation. Transformation of fatty acids in fatty acids methyl esters (FAMEs) also requires a sequence of alkaline and acidic derivatisation in water-free methanolic environment for subsequent GC analysis.

GC analysis:

Analysis of FAMEs of the food samples has been done using a gas chromatograph
GC - 2010 Plus AF with FID detector (Shimadzu Europa GmbH, Duisburg, Germany).
Influence of the method of sample preparation and derivatisation on the content of unsaturated fatty acids in the total fat content of food samples needs to be investigated. In order to compare the contents of unsaturated and saturated fatty acids in both methods, the total amounts of all fatty acid peak areas are calculated (= 100%). Peak areas of unsaturated and saturated fatty acids are then summarised, and the ratio of unsaturated vs. saturated fatty acids is calculated. This procedure has been applied for both the ISO procedure and the microwave procedure.

Experimental Part

ISO procedure:
Extraction method:
The food sample is weighed in a 600 mL glass beaker, in the expectation that a total fat weight of 2 to 3 g will be present. The sample is treated with 100 mL water and 150 mL hydrochloric acid (25 weight-%).
The glass beaker is covered with a glass lid, and the sample is then boiled for 30 to 60 minutes. After the digestion process, the hot sample is diluted with 100 mL of water and filtered in a 2 layer round filter which has been wetted with before hot water. Afterwards, the filters and the residue are washed with neutral with hot water. Finally, the filter paper and residue are dried in an oven for one hour at 105°C. The dried filters are then transferred in the extraction sleeve and finally positioned in a 250 mL extractor (Soxhlet-Apparatus).
The round bottom flask of the Soxhlet apparatus (250 mL) is filled with solvent at a volume corresponding to 1.5 times the volume of the Soxhlet apparatus. The temperature of the solvent petrol ether is 40 – 60°C. The reflux condenser is then set, the solvent is boiled and the fat is extracted over 3 to 6 hours. After extraction, the remaining liquid is fully evaporated in the rotation evaporator. Afterwards, the open flask is further dried for 1 hour at 105°C in order to remove the extraction liquid completely. After cooling, the flask is weighed and the total fat content determined.

ISO based fatty acid derivatisation for GC analysis:
The extracted fat is transferred in a 10 mL round flask and treated with 2 mL (0.2 mole/L) sodium methanolate in methanol (8 g sodium hydroxide are dissolved in 1,000 mL methanol). Boiling under reflux is performed until the solution is clear (5 to 20 minutes). The boiling time depends on the chain length of the fatty acids, the longer the fatty acid, the longer the boiling takes. Afterwards the flask is removed from the heating source and two drops of phenolphthalein solution are added.
Sulphuric acid (1 mole/L) is then added in methanol solution until the solution is clear; another 0.2 mL are then added. The cooler is reinstalled, and the solution is boiled under reflux for 5 minutes. The solution is again removed from the heating source and cooled down in water. 4 mL of a saturated sodium chloride solution are now added and shook well. Afterwards, 1 mL n-hexane is added and the flask is shook again for 15 seconds. The solution is left to stand until both phases are separated. Saturated sodium chloride solution is again added until the aqueous phase reaches the lower level of the flask neck, approx. 2 – 3 mL. The upper phase now contains the FAMEs generated.

Microwave method:

Extraction method:
0.5 g of sample is weighed in an 80 mL glass vial and treated with 3.5 mL hydrochloric acid (37 weight-%), 7.5 mL water and 5 mL n-hexane. A stirrer chip is added. The following parameters are set on the Discover SP-X®.
Final temperature:    115°C
Ramp:        4 minutes
Stirrer:        Strong
Hold time:    15 minutes
Power:        200 Watt
After the digestion and extraction, the solvent is transferred in a previously weighed aluminium bowl in order to perform a cold extraction. The digestion in the vial is treated again with 5 mL n-hexane and then stirred on a magnetic stirrer for one minute. Afterwards, this solvent will be transferred in the aluminium bowl. This cold extraction is repeated three to four times. The solvent with the extracted fat is dried in the heating oven for twenty minutes at 105°C and the bowl finally weighed. Calculation of the total fat content is done by following Equation 1:

Equation 1

m2  =  Mass in g empty bowl
m1  =  Mass in g bowl with dried fat
E    =  Mass in g weight sample
For the derivatisation (MDM), one or two drops of the dried fat are treated in a glass vial with 10 mL water-free methanolic potassium hydroxide solution (2.5 weight-%), and a stirrer chip is added.
The alkaline derivatisation requires the following parameters on the Discover SP-X®
Final temperature:    90°C
Ramp:        5 minutes
Hold time:    10 minutes
Stirrer:        Medium
Power:        200 Watt
After finishing the alkaline derivatisation, the vial is cooled down in a water bath. 14.25 mL Methanol and 0.75 mL hydrochloric acid (37 weight-%) are added, and the acidic derivatisation is generated with following parameters on the Discover SP-X®
Final temperature:    120°C
Ramp:        5 minutes
Hold time:    6 minutes
Stirrer:        Medium
Power:        200 Watt
After finishing the derivatisation, the vial is cooled down in a water bath. 10 mL n-hexane is added, and the vial is turned twice from bottom to top.
The generation of overpressure must be avoided. The glass vial is afterwards filled with saturated sodium chloride solution up to the top. The solvent needs to be transferred with a pipette to a 10 mL GC vial, including sodium sulphate or magnesium sulphate as drying agent (approx. 0.2 g) for possible water residue. This solution is now ready for the analysis of FAMEs using GC-FID.

GC analysis:

For identification and quantification of FAMEs, a 37 Standard-Mix (Supelco) has been used and analysed on GC-2010 Plus AF with FID detector.
The following parameters have been set on the GC:
Injector:        SPL (Split 1:100)
Injection volume:    1 µL
Injector temperature: 250°C
Column type:    FAME WAX
Inner diameter:    0.25 mm
Film thickness:    0.25 µm
Detector Temperature: 250°C
Mobile Phase:    Helium
Carrier gas speed:    35 cm / second
The temperature program starts at 130°C with a hold time of one minute. Afterwards, heating continues with a heating rate of
5°C / minute until reaching a temperature
of 240°C which then stays constant for 10 minutes. The total time is 33 minutes.

Results and Discussion

The gas chromatographic method with Flame ionisation detection has been optimised for separation of almost all fatty acid derivate FAMEs.
From 37 fatty acids contained in the standard mix, 36 fatty acids have been identified. Two fatty acids C18:1-cis and C18:1-trans could not be separated, as they co-elute. But this has no influence on the evaluation and differentiation between saturated and unsaturated fatty acids since both co-eluting fatty acids are unsaturated.
Figure 4 shows the chromatogram of a sausage sample with the identified FAMEs which have been generated according to the ISO procedure. Obviously, fatty acids C16:0 und C18:0 are mainly present.
In comparison to the results of the ISO procedure, Figure 5 shows the chromatogram of the same sample using the microwave procedure.
A comparison of the chromatograms (Figure 4 and Figure 5) shows a significant difference in the FAMEs. The results on C18:1-cis+cis using the microwave procedure are significantly higher in comparison to the ISO procedure.
Table 1 shows that the results of the ISO method have a significant difference in comparison to the microwave method. For a more precise comparison, the peak areas of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids are used and displayed in Diagram 1, showing the difference of the fatty acid ratios between the ISO and the microwave method on sausage samples.
Comparison of both methods shows that the result of unsaturated fatty acids with the microwave technique is ten times higher than the ISO method. These elevated results on unsaturated fatty acids could be observed in the same way during determination of other food samples such as milk powder, chocolate and potato chips, as displayed in Diagram 2.
In all of the food samples determined, use of the microwave procedure has generated a higher amount of unsaturated fatty acids. This confirms the hypothesis that the new microwave procedure prevents oxidation of unsaturated fatty acids during the process, and the gentler treatment results in higher findings when using the new microwave process.
The difference in the total fat concentration of food samples which varies from 19.66% to 37% results in the difference of unsaturated fatty acids as well. The amount of unsaturated fatty acids of potato chips is at the highest level initially when the product is fresh. As soon as the oxidation process has started (after opening the plastic bag) the amount of unsaturated acids is changing.

Conclusion

The declaration of food samples is increasingly more complex. For consumers, the declaration is very important and therefore needs a certain transparency. The EU regulation 1169/ 2011 demands a detailed declaration of food samples. Most important is the differentiation of total fat in saturated and unsaturated fatty acids, which is the top criteria for the consumer to differentiate between healthy and unhealthy food, as has been the subject of two studies. The determination of total fat content as well as unsaturated and saturated fatty acids is regulated in ISO norms.
In this work, two methods have been developed. The first method represents a procedure for digestion and extraction of the total fat content in a closed microwave system, based on a method of Weibull-Stoldt. Food samples from different areas (dairy products, luxury foods, meat and pastries) have been selected, and the application of the total fat determination using the microwave method in a closed system has been evaluated. It has been found to be a universal method for the determination of the total fat content in different food areas.
The second method corresponds to a microwave method, also in a closed system for derivatisation of fatty acid in FAMEs which are then analysed in a GC-FID system. The use of the developed microwave extraction method shows that the method is best suited for determination of the total fat content of food samples.
In the second method, food samples have been analysed for 37 different fatty acid methyl esters. This enables a comparison between the DIN method for digestion and extraction of the total fat content of a food sample with an ISO method for derivatisation of extracted fatty acids in FAMEs, with the developed microwave procedure consisting of microwave extraction method (MEM) and microwave derivatisation method (MDM).
The focus of this comparison is on the ratio between saturated and unsaturated fatty acids (milk powder, chocolate, sausage, chips). The results show that the ratio of fatty acids differs between ISO and microwave procedure. The proportion of unsaturated fatty acids is always higher when the microwave procedure is applied.
The higher rate of findings of unsaturated fatty acids confirms the sensitivity of the unsaturated fatty acids related to the oxidation by air and heat influence.
The DIN procedure is an open system and requires heat over a long period of time which has an influence on the unsaturated fatty acids (oxidation). The microwave system is a closed system with a significant shorter heat application and reduced oxidation of unsaturated fatty acids. The microwave procedure is therefore a gentler and preferable method as far as unsaturated fatty acids are concerned.

References

1. Verordnung (EU) Nr. 1169/2011 des Europäischen Parlaments und des Rates vom 25. Oktober 2011 betreffend die Information der Verbraucher über Lebensmittel und zur Änderung der Verordnungen (EG) Nr. 1924/2006 und (EG) Nr. 1925/2006 des Europäischen Parlaments. at <http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=OJ:L:2011:304:0018:0063:de:PDF>
2.    LFGB. Bestimmung des Gesamtfettgehalts in Fleisch und Fleischerzeugnissen-Gravimetrisches Verfahren nach Weibull-Stoldt. 3 (2014).
3.    Matissek, R., Steiner, G. & Fischer, M. Lebensmittelanalytik. (2010). doi:10.1007/978-3-540-92205-6
4.    Norm, D. Gaschromatographie von Fettsäuremethylestern Teil2: Herstellung von Fettsäuremethylestern. 25 (Perinorm, 2011).
5.    Reaktionsmechanismus_Veresterung.gif (GIF-Grafik, 600 x 184 Pixel). at http://www.mn-net.com/Portals/4/images/Redakteure_Chroma/GC/Biodiesel-Reaktion-DE600.gif
6.    Veresterung_FAMES.jpg (JPEG-Grafik, 801 × 647 Pixel). at http://www.mobilohnefossil.de/images/user/Biodiesel-Veresterung.jpg