A method involving reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with amperometric detection has been developed for
the analysis of tocopherols and tocotrienols in vegetable oils. The sample preparation avoids saponification. Recoveries of
α-tocotrienol and γ-tocotrienol in extra virgin olive oil were 97.0 and 102.0%, respectively. No tocotrienols were detected
in olive, hazelnut, sunflower, and soybean oils, whether virgin or refined. However, relatively high levels of tocotrienols
were found in palm and grapeseed oils. This method could detect small quantities (1–2%) of palm and grapeseed oils in olive
oil or in any tocotrienol-free vegetable oil and might, therefore, help assess authenticity of vegetable oils.
Key words Adulteration - grapeseed oil - hazelnut oil - HPLC - olive oil - palm oil - soybean oil - sunflower oil - tocopherols - tocotrienols - vegetable oils