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Abstract
The quality of edible oils is a critical factor for consumer health, yet deterioration through hydrolysis and oxidation can lead to rancidity and the formation of toxic compounds. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the quality of commercially available Glycine max (Soya Bean Oil), Elaeis guineensis (Palm Kernel Oil), and Gossypium hirsutum (Cotton Seed Oil) by determining key degradation indices. Oils were extracted from seeds sourced from a local market using the Soxhlet method. The acid value (AV), percentage free fatty acid (%FFA), and peroxide value (PV) were determined in triplicate for each oil sample using standard titrimetric methods (AOCS). The results revealed profound disparities in quality among the oils. Soya Bean Oil exhibited acceptable quality, characterized by a low acid value (3.35 ± 0.03 mg KOH/g), low %FFA (1.68 ± 0.02%), and a moderate peroxide value (13.07 ± 0.92 meq/kg). In stark contrast, Palm Kernel Oil and Cotton Seed Oil were of exceptionally poor quality, displaying extremely high acid values (23.30 ± 3.02 and 26.13 ± 2.75 mg KOH/g, respectively) and alarmingly high peroxide values (99.59 ± 0.80 and 107.49 ± 3.78 meq/kg, respectively). These findings indicate that while the SBO was of acceptable quality, the palm kernel oil and cotton seed oil samples exhibited severe hydrolytic and oxidative rancidity, far exceeding international safety standards and rendering them unsuitable for consumption. This study highlighted a critical public health issue regarding the quality of some oils available in local markets and underscores the urgent need for stricter quality control measures throughout the supply chain to mitigate health risks associated with consuming degraded oils.
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