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Types of Laboratory Tests For Edible Oils

Types of Laboratory Tests for Edible Oils

Testing edible oils ensures they are safe, pure, and of high quality. These tests are crucial for FSSAI compliance, export standards, and consumer trust.

Physicochemical Tests

These tests determine the basic physical and chemical properties of oils.

TestPurpose
Moisture & Volatile MatterIndicates shelf life and spoilage risk
Refractive IndexIdentifies purity and type of oil
Specific GravityDifferentiates between oil types
Color (Lovibond Tintometer)Assesses oil clarity and grade
ViscosityMeasures flow properties  

2. Chemical Quality Tests

These determine freshness, oxidation level, and chemical degradation.

TestPurpose
Acid ValueIndicates free fatty acids; higher value means rancidity
Peroxide ValueMeasures primary oxidation; important for shelf life
Saponification ValueDetermines molecular weight and type of oil
Iodine ValueAssesses unsaturation; helps classify the oil
Unsaponifiable MatterDetects impurities like waxes, sterols
Polenske & Reichert-Meissl ValuesUsed in ghee/butter fat analysis

3. Adulteration Tests

Check for mixing of cheaper or harmful oils.

TestDetects
Bellier Turbidity TestAdulteration in ghee or vanaspati
Baudouin TestDetects sesame oil in vanaspati
Hexane ResidueChecks solvent extraction residues
Argemone Oil DetectionHighly toxic adulterant test
Trans Fatty Acid TestChecks for industrial hydrogenation

4. Microbiological Tests (mostly for flavored/processed oils)

  • Total Plate Count

  • Yeast & Mould Count

  • Pathogen Detection (Salmonella, E. coli)
    (Applicable in infused or unrefined oils)

5. Nutritional & Shelf Life Tests

  • Fatty Acid Profile (using GC-FID or GC-MS)

  • Cholesterol Content (especially in animal fats)

  • Vitamin E (Tocopherols)

  • Oxidative Stability Index (OSI)

  • Shelf Life Study under accelerated and real-time conditions

Testing Edible Oils at Tamilnadu Test House (TTH), Chennai

Tamilnadu Test House offers all the above tests with:

  • NABL-accredited instrumentation

  • FSSAI-recommended protocols

  • Support for export quality standards (AGMARK, ISO, etc.)

TTH handles testing for:

  • Groundnut, sunflower, coconut, sesame, mustard oils

  • Vanaspati, ghee, olive oil, rice bran oil, palm oil

  • Cold-pressed and infused oils

 Report Deliverables from TTH

  • Comprehensive Test Report

  • Adulteration and purity certificate

  • Shelf life assessment data

  • FSSAI label compliance verification



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