Separation and determination of tocopherols in vegetable oils by solid phase extraction on porous polymers SPE cartridges and capillary gas chromatography analysis

In this study we present the solid phase extraction selectivity of tocopherols from vegetable oils using four porous polymers (Porapak P, Porapak Q, Porapak QS, Porapak N). The tocopherols elution from SPE cartridges was performed using several hexanes:ethyl acetate mixtures (100:0, 95:5, 90:10, 85:15, v/v). Tocopherols (α, γ and δ-tocopherol) were analyzed by gas chromatography without any derivation steep. The amount of NaOH used for triglyceride removal was optimized. Particularly liquid-liquid and solid phase extraction methods for the extraction of tocopherols from vegetable oils were compared. The results confirmed that porous polymers represent promising SPE alternatives for the extraction of tocopherols from oils.