Characterization of Epoxidized and Non-Epoxidized Fatty Diethanolamides by High Performance Liquid Chromatography and Gas Chromatography

Problem statement: This study was carried out for the characterization of epoxidized and non-epoxidized fatty diethanolamides by High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) and Gas Chromatography (GC). Approach: The fatty diethanolamides were synthesized by reacting 40% (w/w) of Epoxidized Palm Olein (EPO_o) with 60% (w/w) Refined Bleached Deodorized Plam Kernel Olein (RBDPKO_o) with Diethanolamine (DEA) at 110°C for 5 h. Results: The identities of the peaks were established by secondary standards that were derived from pure methyl esters. HPLC separated major non-epoxidized diethanolamide compounds, namely C_10:0, C_12:0, C_14:0, C_16:O, C_18:1 and C_18:0 and the molecular weights of the compounds were dentified by Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS). Conclusion: GC provided a more complete separation for the non-epoxidized diethanolamides, epoxidized diethanolamides, glycerol, Diethanolamine (DEA) and some minor compounds from the self-condensation of DEA and diethanolamides. Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) elucidated the chemical structure of the epoxidized diethanolamides.