Description
The method is intended for the quantitative determination of ergosterol and esters of ergosterol using high performance liquid chromatography. The method has been tested on cereals (wheat, barley, oats and rye) and wheat flour. The sample is hydrolysed in an alkaline ethanol solution where ergosterol and potential esters are extracted and saponified. A portion of the hydrolysate is then transferred to a liquid/liquid extraction column (silica) and extracted with hexane. The extract is analysed by straight phase (silica) liquid chromatography with UV detection at 282 nm.