Total Polar Compounds in Edible Oils Testing

Introduction

The quality and safety of edible oils are crucial factors in the food industry and for consumer health. Total Polar Compounds (TPC) serve as key indicators to assess the degradation and overall quality of oils during their usage and storage. TPC testing measures the cumulative content of degradation compounds such as free fatty acids, mono- and di-glycerides, polymerized and oxidized triglycerides within the oil. Elevated levels of TPC can indicate oil deterioration, affecting the taste, nutritional value, and potentially posing health risks due to the formation of harmful compounds.

Import and export details of the products undergoing these services (2022-2023/ 2022 data)

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the global trade in edible oils has been increasing in recent years. In 2022, the total value of global edible oil imports was estimated at USD 178 billion, while the total value of global edible oil exports was estimated at USD 186 billion.

India is a net importer of edible oils. In 2022-2023, it imported 15.2 million tonnes of edible oils and exported 7.6 million tonnes. The top five edible oils imported by India are palm oil, soybean oil, sunflower oil, rapeseed oil, and groundnut oil. The top five edible oils exported by India are oil meals, groundnut oil, sesame oil, mustard oil, and castor oil.

Standards and regulations

FSSAI

• Maximum limit of TPCs in unused or fresh vegetable oil or fat: 15%
• Maximum limit of TPCs in used vegetable oil or fat: 25%
• Testing frequency: Depends on the type of oil and how it is used. For example, oils that are used for frying should be tested more frequently than oils that are used for baking.

EU

• Maximum limit of TPCs in edible oils: 24%
• Testing frequency: Depends on the type of oil and how it is used. For example, oils that are used for frying should be tested more frequently than oils that are used for baking.

US

• No specific regulation for TPCs in edible oils.
• Recommendation to test edible oils for TPCs on a regular basis.
• Recommendation to discard edible oils that have TPC levels that exceed certain limits.

Mandatory and optional analyses to be performed

Total polar compounds (TPCs): All food businesses in India, the EU, and the US are required to test their edible oils for TPCs on a regular basis. TPCs are compounds that can form in edible oils as they degrade, and they can have adverse health effects.

Optional analyses:

Free fatty acids (FFAs): FFAs are another measure of edible oil quality. High FFA levels can indicate that the oil is degraded or rancid.

Peroxide value (PV): PV is a measure of the oxidative stability of an edible oil. High PV levels can indicate that the oil is more likely to oxidize and form harmful compounds.

Moisture and volatile matter (MVVM): MVVM is a measure of the amount of water and volatile compounds in an edible oil. High MVVM levels can indicate that the oil is contaminated or degraded.

Color: Color is a measure of the purity of an edible oil. Darker colored oils are typically less pure and may contain more impurities.

Additionally, here are some other optional analyses that may be performed on edible oils:

Tocopherols: Tocopherols are vitamin E antioxidants that are found in edible oils. Tocopherols can help to protect the oil from oxidation and improve its shelf life.

Sterols: Sterols are natural compounds that are found in edible oils. Sterols can help to lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease.

Fatty acid profile: The fatty acid profile of an edible oil refers to the type and percentage of fatty acids that it contains. Fatty acid profiles can be used to identify the nutritional value of an edible oil and to determine its suitability for different culinary applications.

Eurofins role in testing total polar compounds in edible oils

• Eurofins is a global leader in food and agricultural testing. Eurofins offers a wide range of services for edible oil testing, including testing for total polar compounds (TPCs).
• Eurofins uses a variety of testing methods to determine the TPC content of edible oils, including silica gel column chromatography and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR).
• Eurofins also offers a variety of other services for edible oil testing, such as testing for free fatty acids (FFAs), peroxide value (PV), moisture and volatile matter (MVVM), color, tocopherols, sterols, and fatty acid profile.
• Eurofins can help food businesses to ensure the safety and quality of their edible oils by providing accurate and reliable testing services.
• Eurofins offers a TPC testing service called "TPC by silica gel column chromatography". This service is accredited to ISO/IEC 17025, which means that it meets the highest international standards for quality and accuracy.