Edible Oil Fatty Acid (EOFA) Analysis

Fatty acid biomarkers have been primarily used for evaluating microbial responses but can also be an effective molecular biological tool (MBT) for monitoring the distribution of edible oil substrates within a site.  The presence of edible oil fatty acids can be confirmed through assessment of the total concentrations of fatty acids along with the presence of high proportions of signature fatty acids common to edible oils (including oleic and linoleic acids) from either groundwater or soil samples. Results are typically reported in micrograms of edible oil per gram or ml of sample.  Further calculations based upon analyzed standards of the specific edible oil injected can be used to estimate the concentration of substrate found within a particular sample.