This paper reports the rapid screening and identification of the triacylglycerol (TAG) content of shea butter fat, palm kernel oil and peanut oil sold in the local Ghanaian market for their characterization and identification. Samples were dissolved in chloroform with 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHB) as the matrix. After subjecting the samples to Maldi-Tof/MS, the spectra obtained showed the characteristic TAGs as sodium adducts. Seven major triacylglycerol species were identified as dipalmitoyl olein (POP), palmitoyl diolein (OOP), palmitoyl stearoyl olein ( POS), linoleoyl dilein (OOL), triolein (OOO), stearoyl diolein (OOS) and distearoyl olein (SOS) in all three samples. Palmitoyl linoleoyl olein (PLO) and tristearin (SSS) were also identified. Oxygenated triacylglycerols and other species from the fragmentation of TAGs were also obtained. The presence of the oxygenated TAGs and the TAG fragments may be as a of poor handling and production processes.
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