Short method for the detection of chick edema factor in fats, oils and fatty acids by electron capture gas chromatography.

The electron capture gas liquid chromatography test method for chick edema factor has been modified by replacing the alumina column s t ep with an additional sulfuric acid cleanup and a caustic wash which permits a reduction in sample cleanup time. Samples are subjected to double preliminary sulfuric acid cleanup and caustic wash and extracted each time with t r imethyl pentane. The final extract is washed with sulfuric acid and examined by electron capture gas chromatography. Gas chromatographic peaks with retention times vs. Aldfin (Ra values) between 8 and 45 are indicative of the presence of chick edema factor.