ISO 18363-3:2024

Overview

ISO 18363-3:2024 specifies a robust analytical method for the simultaneous determination of ester-bound 2‑MCPD, 3‑MCPD and glycidol in animal and vegetable fats and oils. The procedure uses acid-catalysed transesterification to cleave fatty‑acid-bound analytes, conversion of glycidyl esters to measurable derivatives, and derivatization with phenylboronic acid (PBA) prior to analysis by GC/MS. The method is applicable to both solid and liquid fats and oils with a reported limit of quantification (LOQ) of 0.1 mg/kg and limit of detection (LOD) of 0.03 mg/kg.

Key technical topics and requirements

• Single-assay simultaneous measurement: Enables quantification of bound 2‑MCPD, 3‑MCPD and glycidol in one workflow.
• Acid transesterification: Slow, acid‑catalysed ester cleavage releases the analytes from triglycerides and other esters.
• Conversion of glycidyl esters: Glycidyl esters are converted into stable measurable derivatives (3‑MBPD monoesters in the standard procedure) to allow accurate glycidol quantification.
• Derivatization with phenylboronic acid (PBA): Prior to GC/MS, freed analytes are derivatized to improve chromatographic behaviour and mass-spectrometric detection.
• GC/MS detection: Gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry is specified for analyte separation and identification.
• Performance limits: LOD = 0.03 mg/kg, LOQ = 0.1 mg/kg for all three analytes.
• Scope and validation: Applicable to refined and unrefined vegetable oils and fats; use with animal fats and used frying oils requires matrix-specific validation.

Practical applications

• Food safety testing laboratories performing routine monitoring of edible oils and fats for process‑related contaminants.
• Quality control in edible‑oil refining, frying oil producers, and food manufacturers seeking compliance with regulatory limits for MCPDs and glycidol.
• Regulatory agencies and accreditation bodies that require standardized, traceable methods for enforcement and surveillance programs.
• Research and development groups studying formation pathways, mitigation strategies, and process optimization to reduce MCPD/glycidol formation.

Who should use this standard

• Analytical chemists and laboratory managers in food and feed testing labs.
• QC/QA teams in oil refining and food processing industries.
• Regulatory laboratories and public health organizations.
• Method validation specialists implementing or comparing MCPD/glycidol assays.

Related standards

• ISO 18363 series (other parts cover alternative alkaline or rapid methods and differential approaches).
• AOCS Official Methods referenced in the ISO series for MCPD/glycidol analysis.

Keywords: ISO 18363-3:2024, MCPD, 2-MCPD, 3-MCPD, glycidol, glycidyl esters, acid transesterification, phenylboronic acid, PBA, GC/MS, fats and oils, LOQ, LOD.