Abstract

QUALITATIVE ANALYSIS OF MARKETED CASTOR OIL ACCORDING TO INDIAN PHARMACOPIEA AND FSSAI

Kandula Thanuja Reddy*, Dr. Samavenkatesh, Maddi Phanisri and Sunkara Namratha

Abstract

Castor oil is a fixed oil obtained from Ricinus Communis belonging to family Euphorbiaceae. The nutritional vegetable oils and fats are frequently adulterated with low grade oils and causes severe health effects. Ten samples of castor oil were procured locally and analyzed as per the guidelines of Indian Pharmacopeia and FSSAI. Six unpacked samples of oils are observed to be adulterated with low grade oils as they possess high peroxide values, high acetyl values etc and concluded that these oils are unfit for consumption.

Keywords: Castor oil, FSSAI, Indian Pharmacopeia, Qualitative analysis, Ricinoleic acid etc.