[4.3. Sample preparation U.K.
As a number of interfering substances can give rise to false positive results, the sample must always be purified according to IUPAC method 2.507, used for the determination of polar compounds in frying fats.
4.3.1. Chromatographic column preparation U.K.
Fill the column (4.1.3) with about 30 ml of elution solvent (4.2.3), then introduce inside the column some glass wool (4.2.5) pushing it to the bottom of the column by means of the glass rod (4.1.5).
In a 100 ml beaker, suspend 25 g of silica gel (4.2.4) in 80 ml of elution mixture (4.2.3), then transfer it to the column by means of a glass funnel (4.1.6).
To ensure the complete transfer of the silica gel to the column, wash the beaker with the elution mixture and transfer the washing portions to the column too.
Open the cock and let the solvent elute from the column until its level is about 1 cm over the silica gel.
4.3.2. Column chromatography U.K.
Weigh with the accuracy of 0,001 g, 2,5 ± 0,1 g of oil, previously filtered, homogenised and anhydrified, if necessary, in a 50 ml volumetric flask (4.1.7).
Dissolve it in about 20 ml of elution solvent (4.2.3). If necessary, slightly heat it to make the dissolution easily. Cool at room temperature and adjust the volume with elution solvent.
By means of a volumetric pipette, introduce 20 ml of solution inside the column prepared according to 4.3.1, open the cock and let the solvent elute to the silica gel layer level.
Then elute with 150 ml of elution solvent (4.2.3), adjusting the solvent rate at about 2 ml/min (150 ml will take about 60-70 minutes to pass through the column).
The eluate is recovered in a 250 ml round-bottomed flask (4.1.1) previously tared in an oven and exactly weighed. Eliminate the solvent at reduced pressure in a rotary evaporator (4.1.9) and weigh the residue that will be used to prepare the solution for HPLC analysis and for methyl ester preparation.
The sample recovery from the column must be 90 % at least for the extra virgin, virgin, ordinary, refined and olive oil categories, and a minimum of 80 % for lampante and olive-pomace oils.
4.3.3. SPE purification U.K.
Silica SPE column is activated by passing 6 ml of hexane (4.2.3) under vacuum, avoiding dryness.
Weigh to an accuracy of 0,001 g, 0,12 g in a 2 ml vial (4.1.15) and dissolve with 0,5 ml of hexane (4.2.3).
Load the SPE column with the solution and elute with 10 ml of hexane-diethyl ether (87:13 v/v) (4.2.3) under vacuum.
The collected fraction is evaporated to dryness in a rotary evaporator (4.1.9) under reduced pressure at room temperature. The residue is dissolved in 2 ml of acetone (4.2.6) for triacylglycerol (TAG) analysis.]