EN 15779:2009+A1:2013

• Abstract:

  This European Standard specifies a method for the determination of the polyunsaturated (≥ 4 double bonds) fatty acid (PUFA) methyl esters content of fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) as a whole between 0,6 % (m/m) and 1,5 % (m/m).; The method covers the predominant four polyunsaturated fatty acid methyl esters of eicosatetraenoic acid (C 20:4 (n-6)), eicosapentaenoic acid (C 20:5 (n-3)), docosapentaenoic acid (C 22:5 (n 3), and docosahexaenoic acid (C 22:6 (n 3)). ; Studies have indicated that based on the linearity of results from this European Standard, PUFA methyl esters can be determined in FAME in the range between 0,3 % (m/m) to 3,0 % (m/m). However, the precision was not established in that range, as no samples within the upper ranges where included in the final interlaboratory test (see 10.1).; Although the method is applicable to all uses, it is predominantly for FAME for use in diesel engines.; NOTE 1 For the purposes of this document, the term “% (m/m)” is used to represent the mass fraction of a material.; NOTE 2 This European Standard is based on A.O.C.S Official Method Ce 1b-89 [1].

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 24-Sep-2013
• Withdrawal Date: 30-Mar-2014
• ICS: 75.160.20 - Liquid fuels
• ICS: 75.160.40 - Biofuels
• Technical Committee: CEN/TC 19 - Petroleum products, lubricants and related products
• Drafting Committee: CEN/TC 19/JWG 1 - Vegetable fats and oils and their by-products for use in automotive fuels (Joint working group with CEN/TC 307)
• Current Stage: 9093 - Decision to confirm - Review Enquiry
• Start Date: 15-Jul-2026
• Completion Date: 22-Jul-2026
• Ref Project: SIST EN 15779:2009+A1:2013 - Petroleum products and fat and oil derivates - Fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) for diesel engines - Determination of polyunsaturated (≥4 double bonds) fatty acid methyl esters (PUFA) by gas chromatography

• Merged From: EN 15779:2009 - Petroleum products and fat and oil derivates - Fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) for diesel engines - Determination of polyunsaturated (≥4 double bonds) fatty acid methyl esters (PUFA) by gas chromatography
• Effective Date: 24-Jul-2013
• Refers: EN ISO 3171:1999 - Petroleum liquids - Automatic pipeline sampling (ISO 3171:1988)
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Refers: EN ISO 3170:2025 - Hydrocarbon Liquids - Manual Sampling (ISO 3170:2025)
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026
• Referred By: EN 14214:2012+A2:2019 - Liquid petroleum products - Fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) for use in diesel engines and heating applications - Requirements and test methods
• Effective Date: 28-Jan-2026

Overview

EN 15779:2009+A1:2013 (CEN) defines a gas chromatography (GC) method for determining the content of polyunsaturated fatty acid methyl esters (PUFA, ≥4 double bonds) in fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) fuels (biodiesel), primarily for diesel-engine use. The method quantifies the combined mass fraction of the predominant PUFA methyl esters - C20:4 (n‑6), C20:5 (n‑3), C22:5 (n‑3) and C22:6 (n‑3) - in the range 0.6 % (m/m) to 1.5 % (m/m). Linearity has been shown between 0.3 % and 3.0 % (m/m), but precision was established only in the 0.6–1.5 % range.

Key topics and requirements

• Analytical principle: GC with flame ionization detector (FID) using an internal standard (C23:0 methyl ester) and theoretical detector correction factors for each PUFA.
• Target analytes: PUFA methyl esters with ≥4 double bonds - C20:4, C20:5, C22:5, C22:6.
• Typical procedure:
  • Prepare internal standard (≈25 mg C23:0 in 25 mL heptane).
  • Weigh ~100 mg FAME, add 1 mL IS, inject 1 µL into GC.
• Chromatographic conditions (examples from method):
  • Capillary column: 30 m, 0.20–0.32 mm i.d., 0.25 µm film; bonded Carbowax / polyethylene glycol phase (e.g., HP‑INNOWax, SUPELCOWAX 10).
  • Injector ≈220 °C, detector ≈275 °C, split ≈1:50; temperature program starting 150 °C with ramps to 250 °C.
  • Carrier gas: hydrogen or helium (≥99.99 %).
• Calculation: PUFA content calculated using peak areas, internal standard concentration/volume, sample mass and specific correction factors (20:4 → 0.99; 20:5 → 0.98; 22:5 → 0.98; 22:6 → 0.97).
• Reporting: Mass percentage expressed in % (m/m), rounded to 0.01.
• Precision: repeatability r = 0.07 % (m/m); reproducibility R = 0.27 % (m/m).

Applications and users

• Quality control and conformity testing of biodiesel (FAME) for diesel engines to ensure PUFA content limits that affect oxidation stability.
• Test and analytical laboratories performing fuel specification compliance testing.
• Biodiesel producers and blend formulators monitoring oxidative stability risks related to high‑PUFA feedstocks (e.g., marine oils).
• Regulators and certification bodies setting or enforcing fuel quality limits.

Related standards

• EN ISO 3170 / EN ISO 3171 - sampling of petroleum liquids
• EN ISO 5509 - preparation of fatty acid methyl esters (marine oils sample prep)
• EN ISO 4259 - precision data and statistical evaluation
• A.O.C.S. Official Method Ce 1b‑89 - source method on which EN 15779 is based

Keywords: EN 15779, FAME, PUFA, gas chromatography, GC‑FID, biodiesel, fatty acid methyl esters, diesel engines, C20:5, C22:6, fuel testing.

2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.PHKUIDFKPLWWHOV*DVFKURPDWRJUDILHJD]HXVH75.160.20Liquid fuelsICS:Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z:EN 15779:2009+A1:2013SIST EN 15779:2009+A1:2013en,fr,de01-december-2013SIST EN 15779:2009+A1:2013SLOVENSKI
STANDARD
EUROPEAN STANDARD NORME EUROPÉENNE EUROPÄISCHE NORM
EN 15779:2009+A1
September 2013 ICS 75.160.20 Supersedes EN 15779:2009
English Version
Petroleum products and fat and oil derivates - Fatty acid methyl esters (FAME) for diesel engines - Determination of polyunsaturated (≥4 double bonds) fatty acid methyl esters (PUFA) by gas chromatography
Produits pétroliers et produits dérivés des corps gras - Esters méthyliques d'acides gras (EMAG) pour moteurs diesel (gazole) - Détermination de la teneur en esters méthyäiques daacides gras éoäyinsaturés (≥ 4 doubäes liaisons) (PUFA) par chromatographie en phase gazeuse
Mineralölerzeugnisse und Erzeugnisse aus pflanzlichen und tierischen Fetten und Ölen - Fettsäure-Methylester (FAME) für Dieselmotoren - Bestimmung von mehrfach ungesättigten (≥ 4 aoééeäbindungen) Fettsäuremethylestern (PUFA) mittels Gaschromatographie This European Standard was approved
by CEN on 22 September 2009 and includes Amendment 1 approved by CEN on 5 August 2013.
CEN members are bound to comply with the CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alteration. Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN member.
This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language made by translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CEN-CENELEC Management Centre has the same status as the official versions.
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey and United Kingdom.
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