Mustard oil is one of the most used oils in north India but adulterants like Argemone oil, rice bran oil, palm oil or linseed oil are frequently used to adulterate the mustard oil. Sometimes pale-colored cheaper oils are even dyed with synthetic dyes to give it the color of mustard oil.
Recently the FSSAI has directed all Food Safety Commissioners of all States and UTs to carry out enforcement activities and to collect samples of mustard oil of various brands in the market and get them tested for the presence of Oryzanol. This order has been passed because FSSAI has received reports of mustard oil being adulterated with rice bran oil.
Rice bran oil is a rich source of oryzanol, whereas mustard oil contains only trace amounts of oryzanol. Therefore, the presence of oryzanol in mustard oil means the mustard oil is not pure but has been adulterated with rice bran oil. Oryzanol is also found in wheat bran and some fruits and vegetables. Moreover, physically refined rice bran oil is similar to mustard oil in color and density. Since rice bran oil is cheaper than mustard oil it is frequently used as an adulterant in mustard oil.
Auriga food testing laboratory has the capability to test oils and blended oils for adulteration or possible accidental contamination. In bulk handling installations, where oils of different types are pumped through common valves and pipes accidental contamination can occur. However, in order to ensure the regulatory requirement of standards for oils, it is important to carry out the testing of samples. We offer high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) array detection analyses and testing services for oils to ensure that the samples of mustard oil have the regulatory standards and have not been adulterated with rice bran or any other oil.
Gamma oryzanol is a group of ferulic acid esters of phytosterols and triterpene alcohols, is a naturally rich source of antioxidants and unsaturated fatty acids. However, their presence in mustard oil at higher concentrations is a sign of adulteration. HPLC is a testing method that has been developed to detect adulteration in oils, as through this method differences in the profiles of the oils become evident. Also, through the HPLC method of testing, the concentration of the oryzanol can be detected and so this method is often used to detect rice bran adulteration in mustard oil samples.
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