A novel and rapid method for the preparation of methyl esters for gas chromatography: application to the determination of the fatty acids of edible fats and oils.

A rapid, mild, and convenient transesterification of triglycerides was obtained using 0.2 N-methanolic (m-trifluoro-methylphenyl) trimethylammonium hydroxide. The method yielded results comparable to those obtained using methanolic sodium methoxide.