What is AOAC?
The AOAC, currently known as AOAC INTERNATIONAL since 1991, was founded way back in 1884 as the Association of Official Agricultural Chemists by the US Department of Agriculture. Since 1965, AOAC has become known as Association of Official Analytical Chemists. Currently, the AOAC INTERNATIONAL reflects its international character. However, AOAC is not an acronym any longer. AOAC INTERNATIONAL, as it stands today, is a globally recognized organization responsible for independently developing standards pertaining to analytical methods.

The salient features of AOAC INTERNATIONAL are briefly stated below:
- Has over 3,000 members worldwide.
- Encompasses 4 continents and over 90 countries.
- Publishes the internationally reputed “Official Methods of Analysis”.
AOAC’s huge membership is spread across the board and includes government agencies, contract research organizations (CROs), academia, international organizations, developers of diagnostic kits, as well as instrument manufacturers.
Some of the broad areas that AOAC’s activities cover include the following:
- Food & beverages
- Dietary supplements
- Infant formulations
- Pharmaceuticals
- Veterinary drugs
- Animal feed
- Fertilizers
- Soil & water
Gas Chromatography for Detection of Trans Fats
Gas chromatography is a separation technique used for the analysis of volatile substances in the gas sample. it is an analytical instrument that measures the content of various components present in a sample.
- The principle of Gas Chromatography: A solution of the sample is introduced into a packed or internally quoted tube, which is technically called a “column” because of its characteristic structure. The various components of the sample are separated in the column. A detector measures the quantity of the substances leaving the column in a column. To measure an unknown sample, a standard sample with a known concentration is injected into the instrument and compared with the test sample to calculate its concentration. for greater sensitivity, the gas chromatograph machine is usually connected to another machine called mass spectrometer, which makes it possible to determine very low amounts of compounds of interest in the sample
- Methodology for Detection of Trans Fats: As per the Official Methods of Analysis, AOAC method 996.06 is used for the detection of trans fats in food samples by Gas chromatography. By using this method, the total trans fat content in the food samples can be detected. This method is more convenient and is sensitive enough for the routine analysis of trans fat content in food products with low free fatty acid content.
Thus, gas chromatography is the recommended official AOAC technique for the detection of trans fats in food samples with a high level of accuracy.
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