A long-lasting gas chromatography (GC) column has been designed specifically for efficient, reliable analysis of trans fatty acid ("trans fat") content in food.
Agilent Technologies has introduced a long-lasting gas chromatography (GC) column designed specifically for efficient, reliable analysis of trans fatty acid ("trans fat") content in food.
The new HP-88 column helps processed-food manufacturers and food testing laboratories comply with new labeling requirements designed to help consumers monitor their consumption of trans fat.
The US Food and Drug Administration has recommended that consumers reduce as much as possible their intake of trans fats, which are typically found in processed food products.
Studies have associated trans fats with increases in LDL ("bad") cholesterol and decreases in HDL ("good") cholesterol, which can increase the risk of heart disease.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States, contributing to more than 500,000 deaths per year. In response to concerns about the health effects of trans fats, US and Canadian regulators have mandated the labeling of trans fat content in all processed food sold in their respective countries by January 2006.
In 2003, Danish regulators passed legislation that effectively bans the use of trans fats in packaged foods sold in Denmark.
The most practical method for measuring trans fat content is by gas chromatography, using a high cyanopropyl-content capillary GC column.
The HP-88 column provides the excellent resolution and same elution order of previous generation cyanopropyl-containing columns, but incorporates an arylene stationary phase structure that increases its temperature range by 20 degrees Celsius relative to similar columns.
The improved thermal stability of the HP-88 reduces column bleed and increases the column lifetime.
Trans fat analysis requires a high-polarity column with specific selectivity and very high efficiency, which means the column has to be coated with the stationary phase evenly and efficiently.
In the past, this type of column had been difficult to manufacture reliably, limiting its availability.
The HP-88 column features an innovative surface chemistry that optimizes the coating of the stationary phase, minimizing production problems and ensuring product availability.
