Stigmastadiene assay

Stigmastadiene levels allow for the identification and quantification of this marker of thermal degradation of phytosterols , formed during excessive refining or deodorizing of vegetable oils. Its presence is therefore a reliable indicator of the quality and degree of processing of edible oils .

This analysis is essential to verify the regulatory compliance of vegetable oils and ensure their traceability , particularly in production, import or quality control processes.

Analytical methods

The concentration of stigmastadiene is determined by gas chromatography , using two approaches:

• GC-FID (gas chromatography with flame ionization detector) : reference method for the accurate quantification of stigmastadiene in edible oils.
• GC-MS (gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry) : allows the structural identification and confirmation of compounds in complex matrices.

The analysis generally follows the standardized method ISO 15788-1 / AOCS Cd 26-96 , ensuring the reliability and reproducibility of the results.

Industrial applications

Stigmastadiene measurement is particularly useful for:

• , virgin or extracted vegetable oils
• Detecting excessive heat treatment during industrial refining,
• Ensuring compliance with European regulations (e.g., EC Regulation No. 61/2011 on olive oils),
• Ensuring transparency and traceability in agri-food and nutraceutical production chains.

Matrices analyzed

• Vegetable oils (olive, sunflower, rapeseed, palm, soybean, etc.)
• Vegetable fats and oil blends
• Food products enriched with sterols
• Nutritional supplements based on phytosterols

Further analyses recommended

For complete control of the quality and purity of oils , YesWeLab recommends:

• Peroxide value : assessment of primary oxidation,
• Acid value : a measure of triglyceride hydrolysis,
• Iodine index : determination of the degree of unsaturation of fatty acids,
• Cholesterol and phytosterol : complete characterization of the sterol profile of oils.

YesWeLab's expertise

YesWeLab offers you access to its network of ISO 17025 and COFRAC accredited partner laboratories for purity testing, chemical characterization, and regulatory compliance of oils and fats.
Our intuitive digital platform simplifies quote requests , sample tracking , and access to analytical results with complete transparency.

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