Abstract:
Coconut oil, commonly used edible oil
in Sri Lanka, has number of health benefits such
as cholesterol-lowering effects, reduced risk of
cardiovascular diseases, weight loss, improved
cognitive functions, and antimicrobial activity.
Demand for coconut oil rapidly increases.
Coconut oil is produced on small to large scale. In
Ampara district, there are numerous small-scale
traditional coconut oil producers that produce oils
that lack of proper knowledge and scientific
practices. This study is designed to compare
selected quality parameters of coconut oil
produced locally with SLS standards (SLS
32:2017). Oil samples were collected from
Addalaichenai, Akkaraipattu and Pottuvil. The
free fatty acid (FFA), moisture, and peroxide
value (PV) were determined using standard
methods. The results obtained were the mean
values for free fatty acid, moisture, and peroxide
value ranged from 1.069±0.15 to 1.1402±0.38 mg
NaOH/g oil, 0.3486±0.00 to 1.7920±1.49 % and
1.0913±0.47 to 1.8836±0.55 meq /kg respectively.
All three samples had higher moisture and free
fatty acid content than the standard value (0.4 and
0.8) respectively, and lower peroxide value (>3).
A significant difference was observed in peroxide
value, which was lower than the SLS value,
whereas the moisture content and free fatty acid
value were not found to be significantly differ
across all areas. The local manufacturers must
improve their oil processing scientifically and
hygienically, so as to improve the quality on par
with the SLS standards and to provide quality oil
to the consumers. However, modern scientific
manufacturing methods should be introduced by
the local manufacturer.
