Method to Determine Wessons Loss(Neutralization Loss)

Apparatus: 500 ml separating funnels, 100ml beakers.

Reagents: Aqueous 14% KOH solution, ethyl alcohol 50% by voume, petroleum ether boiling
range 40 60 degree centigrade.
Procedure: Weigh accurately 20 grams of the crude edible oil into a small beaker & transfer it to
a 500ml separating flask. Successively wash out the beaker with a total 100 cc Petroleum ether &
add 20cc of 14% KOH, stopper the flask & shake it for about 3 minutes.
Add 50cc of 50% Ethyl alcohol. Mix thoroughly by shaking & allow to stand until a sharp
separation of the petroleum ether from the aqueous alcohol occurs.Separate out the lower layer
from petroleum ether layer in another separating funnel, mark this funnel with 2. To this funnel
(marked 2) add 50 cc of petroleum ether & agitate gently to avoid formation of emulsion &
allow to stand till a sharp separation of the petroleum ether. Now drain out the lower aqueous
layer. Transfer this petroleum ether into first one funnel. Add 70 cc aqueous alcohol, shake well
and drain out the lower aqueous alcoholic layer. Transfer petroleum ether layer in a weighed &
dried beaker. Evaporate first on water bath & finally dry the beaker to constant weight in oven at
105 degree centigrade.
Calculation:
Weight of oil obtained
------------------------------ x 100 = % Neutral Oil
Weight of sample
WESSONS LOSS %AGE = 100 Neutral Oil