Practical Manual ---

Chemical Analysis and EXPERIMENT 19 DETERMINATION OF

Quality Assurance
REFRACTIVE INDEX OF
OILS AND FATS
Structure
19.0 Objectives
19.1 Introduction
19.2 Principle
19.3 Requirements
19.4 Procedure
19.5 Results and Inference
19.6 Precautions

19.0 OBJECTIVES
After attending to this experiment, we shall be able to:
• learn to perform determination of refractive index of oils and fats.

19.1 INTRODUCTION
The Refractive Index (RI) of oil or fat is a mean for identification of nature of a
particular oil due to the difference of saturation, conjugation, presence of hydroxyl
substituted and chain length of fatty acids. Measurement of refractive index is convenient
for the following the progress of hydrogenation of oils and fats. The refractive index is
measured under different temperature conditions applied such as 20°C for oils, 40°C
for solid fats which are fully molten at that temperature, 60°C for hydrogenated fats
and 80°C for waxes. Refractive index is very specific for a particular oil or fat.

19.2 PRINCIPLE
RI is expressed as the ratio between the sine of the angle of incidence to the sine of
the angle of refraction when a ray of light of a known wavelength (mean of the D lines
of sodium) passes from air into the oil or fat.

19.3 REQUIREMENTS
Apparatus
Refractometer - Abbe or Butyro refractometer. The temperature of the refractometer
should be controlled to within ±0.1°C and for this purpose it should be provided with
a thermostatically controlled water-bath and a motor-driven pump to circulate water
through the instrument. The instrument should be standardized, following the
manufacturer’s instructions, with a liquid of known purity and refractive index or with
a glass prism of known refractive index. Distilled water, which has a refractive index
of 1.3330 at 20.0°C, is a satisfactory liquid for standardization.
Light Source - If the refractometer is equipped with a compensator, a tungsten lamp
or a daylight bulb may be used. Otherwise, a monochromatic light, such as an electric
sodium vapour lamp, should be used.
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 Determination of Refractive
19.4 PROCEDURE Index of Oils and Fats
Melt the sample, if it is not already liquid, and filter through a filter paper to remove any
impurities and the last traces of moisture. Make sure that the sample is completely dry.
Adjust the temperature of the refractometer to 40.0 ± 0.1°C or to any other desired
temperature. Ensure that the prisms are clean and completely dry, and then place a few
drops of the sample on the lower prism. Close the prisms, tighten firmly with the screw-
head, and allow to stand for 1-2 min. Adjust the instrument and light to obtain the most
distinct reading possible, and determine the refractive index.
Temperature Corrections
Unless the correction factors are specified in the detailed specification, approximate
corrections shall be made using the following equation:
R = R’ + K (T’ – T )
Where,
R = the reading of the refractometer reduced to the specified temperature, T°C;
R’ = the reading at T’°C;
K = constant, 0.000365 for fats, and 0.000385 for oils (if Abbe refractometer is
used ), or = 0.55 for fats and 0.58 for oils (if Butyro refractometer is used );
T’ = the temperature at which the reading R’ is taken; and
T = the specified temperature (~40.0°C).

19.5 RESULTS AND INFERENCE

The mean of the results of two determinations should be taken and the temperature
maintained should be reported along with the refractive index. The difference between
the results of two determinations carried out simultaneously or in rapid succession by
the same analyst (repeatability) shall not exceed 0.1% by mass. The refractive index of
commonly used edible oils is given as below.

Type of Oil RI at 40°°C Type of Oil RI at 40°°C

Coconut oil 1.448-1.449 Safflower oil 1.467-1.469
Cottonseed oil 1.463-1.466 Sunflower oil 1.464-1.480
Groundnut oil 1.462-1.464 Soybean oil 1.465-1.471
Mustard oil 1.465-1.467 Rice bran oil 1.460-1.470
Sesame oil 1.464-1.467 Palm oil 1.449-1.458

19.6 PRECAUTIONS
• Before the measurement, the prism should be properly cleaned with acetone or
with suitable solvent.
• Sample should be free from moisture and any other impurities melted at the same
temperature at which reading has to be taken.
• Temperature of prism should be accurately maintained.

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