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.