Comparative Analysis and Adulteration Detection of Commercial Mustard Oil

Abstract

Mustard oil is one of the most important edible vegetable oils in the market. It is the major source of beneficial unsaturated fatty acids which are important to human health. Due to the high price in the market, it is usual to mix adulterant with it. This study was carried out at Bangladesh Standard Testing Institute (BSTI), Khulna to evaluate the proper condition of commercial mustard oil available in the market. To perform this study, the quality analysis was done by physical and chemical assays. From the physical tests (moisture content, specific gravity, refractive index and color), it was observed that the analyzed values of Radhuni, Teer, Fresh and Local 3 among the experimental samples were within the acceptable range. In chemical tests (acid value, iodine value, saponification value, peroxide value and iron content), particularly Radhuni, Teer, Fresh and Local 3 samples fulfilled the required criteria among the investigated samples. The adulterant tests (synthetic allyl isothiocyanate, argemone oil, mineral oil) were carried out which reflected that synthetic allyl isothiocyanate and mineral oil were not added to any sample. As an adulterant, argemone oil was present in Dolfin, Local 1, Local 2 and Local 4. Through the analysis of physical and chemical parameters, four individual samples (Radhuni, Teer, Fresh and Local 3) out of eight were found to satisfy the standard set out by BSTI.