Did you know that AOCS LPP has a MCT Oil and a Specialty Oil series?

 

The AOCS Laboratory Proficiency Program (LPP) provides an internationally recognized ongoing assessment of your proficiency assessing the quality of medium-chain triglycerides and specialty oils including determination of p-Anisidine value, fatty acid composition, free fatty acids, iodine value, moisture and peroxide value for these commercially important materials. Does your lab need to be proficient in this type of testing?

Enroll today!

MCTs or medium-chain triglycerides are triglycerides with two or three saturated fatty acids having an aliphatic tail of 8–14 carbon atoms. They are typically extracted from coconut and palm kernel oil. MCT metabolize differently than long-chain triglycerides (LCT). They are considered a source of healthy saturated oils and have interesting physiological functions. MCT oils are sold as health supplements, used in energy drinks and for diet/weight control. They are also widely used as carrier oils or solvents for flavors, oral medicines and vitamins. The Journal of the American Chemical Society (JAOCS) and Lipids published a joint virtual Issue on medium chain triacylglycerols in 2017.

The MCT Oil series samples are available for the Second (October 1) and Third (January 1) quarters of the LPP Program year.

The Specialty Oil series includes samples such as sesame, avocado, sunflower, palm and rice bran oils. Samples are sent out for all four quarters of the program year.

Both the MCT Oil and the Specialty Oil series are used to assess proficiency in obtaining:

·       p-Anisidine values (to assess the secondary oxidation) using AOCS Method Cd 18-90

·        fatty acid composition using AOCS Method Ce 1i-07

·        free fatty acids using AOCS Method Ca 5a-40

·        iodine value (standard measure of unsaturation) using AOCS Method Cd 1d-92

·        moisture using AOCS Method Ca 2b-38

·        peroxide value (measure of oil oxidation) using AOCS Method Cd 8b-90

Many of these tests and methods are also included in the CODEX Alimentarius for the characterization of the Standards for Named Vegetable Oils.

Analysts who participate in all quarters of the series can apply to be an Approved Chemist. Approval is earned by superior performance during the previous LPP year. Labs with Approved Chemists are featured in the AOCS Recommended Lab Directory. To learn more about the Approved Chemist Program, visit AOCS Approved Chemists.

If you have questions about this program, please contact Dawn Shepard, Laboratory Program Manager, AOCS, dawns@aocs.org.