Detection of olive oil adulteration with canola oil from triacylglycerol analysis by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography

The objective of this study was to explore the use of reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography (RP-HPLC) as a means to detect adulteration of olive oil with less expensive canola oil. Previously this method has been shown to be useful in the detection of some other added seed oils; however, the detection of adulteration with canola oil might be more difficult due to similarities in fatty acid composition between canola oil and olive oil. Various mixtures of canola oil with olive oils were prepared, and RP-HPLC profiles were obtained. Adulteration of olive oil samples with less than 7.5% (w/w) canola oil could not be detected.