Glycidol and its esters (GE) and 3-chloropropane-1,2-diol (3-MCPD) are foodborne contaminants that can be formed during the processing of various fatty acid rich foodstuffs. Due to the inherent risk posed by 3-MCPD and GE, regulatory bodies and current industry roadmaps aim to reduce the levels of 3-MCPD below 2 ppm and GE below 1ppm by September 2020.
Amongst foodstuffs, edible oils, specifically, refined palm oil contains the highest levels of 3-MCPD and GE.
| Class | Foods | 3-MCPD (mg/kg) | GE (mg/kg) |
| Oils | |||
| Refined palm oil | 1.1-10.0 | 0.30-10 | |
| Refined coconut oil | 1.4-1.7 | n.a | |
| Refined hazelnut/walnut oil | 1.2-19.0 | 0.5-1.4 | |
| Refined olive oil | <0.3-2.5 | n.a |
This rapid assay kit includes a colorimetric assay that quantifies levels of 3-MCPD and Total (3-MCPD + GE) in Edible oils. A major source of 3-MCPD fatty acid esters in consumer food products. Independent levels of GE are then also determined via a simple calculations. The rapid test kit requires less than 2 hours per test batch (4 samples) from sample preparation to result at an approximate cost of ~$50 per sample. In comparison, standard GC-MS analysis services can cost around $300 per sample with a turnaround time of 2-7 days.
Summary
Accuracy
Calibration curves for the 3-MCPD and GE assays done with Camtech’s kit and compared to corn oil spiked with 3-MCPD-1,2-bis-palmitoyl ester and glycidyl oleate (n=3; Error Bars = SD). There is a high correlation between the kit and the spiked samples for 3-MCPD (R2=0.994) and GE (R2=0.994).
Comparison of 3-MCPD and GE calibration curves from measurements done with Camtech’s Kit or GC-MS using spiked samples. A high correlation for both 3-MCPD (R2=0.99), and GE (R2=0.98) between the kit and GC-MS results has been observed. (Kit: n=3, error bars=SD; GC-MS: n=1, error bars=SD)
Corn oil was used as base oil and spiked with low (0.5mg/kg), medium (2.0mg/kg), high (4.0 mg/kg) concentrations of 3-MCPD-1,2-bis-palmitoyl ester and glycidyl oleate. The current LOQ’s for both 3-MPCD and GE fall within the range of the EU regulations for edible oils. (n=8 for each graph; error bars=SD) GE was determined indirectly using the 3-MCPD and Total Values.
Edible oil samples from various factories (n=4) were analysed using in-house GC-MS systems and compared to in-house Camtech kit values. Across the concentration range the kit shows a high degree of correlation for 3-MCPD (R2=0.98) and Total (R2=0.99) (n=16)
Proficiency Test
Results from the Fapas®Food Chemistry Proficiency Test #2658 for 3-MCPD esters & Glycidyl Esters. The performance of Camtech (Lab #64) is indicated by the red line. The results indicate Camtech had minimum deviation from the average result for 3-MCPD (z-score: -0.2) & GE (z-score: 0.6) (n=101).
Each kit is sufficient for 50 assays.
This product is for lab use only, not for drug production, household, or other uses. Please read the MSDS before using the kit.
Items marked 4°C must be stored in a refrigerator. Place other components at room temperature away from direct sunlight. Kit is valid for 3 months from date of shipping.