Assessment of the physicochemical properties of selected brands of vegetable oils sold in Umuahia Metropolis, Abia State, Nigeria

Abstract

Selected brands of vegetable oils sold in Umuahia metropolis, Abia State, Nigeria were evaluated for the physicochemical properties. The results showed significant (p < 0.05) variations in the physical and chemical values of the oil brands. Vegetable oil sample VA had the highest values in most of the parameters evaluated as follows: flash point (FP1) (300.50^oC), fire point (FP2) (330.50^oC), free fatty acid (FFA) (1.90%), peroxide value (PV) (5.24 mg/100g), acid value (AV) (3.80mgKOH/g), and saponification value (SV) (250mg/KOH). Vegetable oil sample VA also had the highest vitamin A (3.89μg/g), IU equivalent/kg (13,000IU/kg), Vitamin E (11.62μg/g), while sample VE had the least vitamin values (vitamin A (1.22μg/g); IU equivalent/kg (4,100IU/kg); vitamin E (6.33μg/g)), respectively. The results indicated that the physicochemical values of the samples were within the standard for vegetable oils as recommended by Standard Organization of Nigeria (SON). However, with the exception of sample VA (13,000IU/kg) which was near the standard vitamin A fortification level (20,000IU/kg), very low vitamin A level was observed in other samples which ranged from 4,100 to 10,400IU/kg. Emphasis should therefore be on effective monitoring for meeting the set standard and/or prohibition, in order to ensure that the anticipated impact of the Nigerian vitamin A fortification programme is achieved.

Keywords: Vegetable oil brands, vitamin A fortification levels, physicochemical properties, Umuahia-Nigeria