Abstract
A classic solvent extraction and a supercritical CO2 extraction (SFE) method for the determination of free cholesterol in dried egg yolk were compared. After lipid extraction, a solid-phase extraction (SPE) was performed to eliminate the non-polar lipids and to purify cholesterol. Free cholesterol was then determined by capillary gas chromatography. The supercritical extractor enabled on-line SPE after SFE, resulting in a shorter extraction time compared with that of the classic method. Improved repeatability and a smaller amount of solvent required are the main advantages of the method proposed here compared with the classic solvent extraction method. © Springer-Verlag 1997.