Quick unreferenced NMR quantification of Squalene in vegetable oils

We present here a simple method for the rapid quantification of squalene in vegetable oils by NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance). The method was validated by adding internal standards to several vegetable oil samples. Quantification was accomplished by exploiting the characteristic resolved signal of terminal methyl groups at 1.67 ppm, which allowed squalene quantification regardless of the hydrophobic matrix. Theoretical principles are fulfilled by the method and, despite the general belief that NMR displays intrinsic low sensitivity, acceptable accuracy (<4%) and reproducibility (<6%) can be reached when squalene is over 2000 ppm, even in “worst case scenarios.” This method may be useful in the continuing efforts to rapidly generate accurate and complete quantitative data suitable for inclusion in the identification labels of vegetable oil products.