41.1.

18
AOAC Official Method 920.160
Saponification Number
(Koettstorfer Number) of Oils and Fats
Titrimetric Method
First Action 1920
Final Action
A. Reagent
Alcoholic potassium hydroxide solution [JAOAC 19,
427(1936)].—(1) Reflux 1.2 L alcohol 30 min in distilling flask
with 10 g KOH and 6 g granulated Al (or Al foil). Distil and collect
1 L after discarding first 50 mL. Dissolve 40 g KOH in this 1 L
alcohol, keeping temperature <15°C while dissolving alkali. Keep
solution in glass-stoppered bottle. Or, (2) Crush 40 g KOH in
185 mm mortar. Add 45 g granulated CaO and grind mixture to pow-
der. From 1 L alcohol add 100 mL to mortar and transfer to flask,
rinsing mortar with several more portions. Add remainder of
alcohol to flask, shake mixture ≥5 min, and invert beaker over neck
of flask. Repeat shaking several times during day. Next morning
filter solution into clean, dry, glass-stoppered bottle.
B. Determination
Accurately weigh ca 5 g filtered oil into 250–300 mL Erlenmeyer.
Pipet 50 mL alcoholic KOH solution into flask, draining pipet defi-
nite time. Connect flask with air condenser and boil until fat is com-
pletely saponified (ca 30 min). Cool, and titrate with 0.5M HCl,
936.15 (see A.1.06), using phenolphthalein. Conduct blank determi-
nation along with that on sample, using same pipet for measuring
KOH solution and draining same time.

Calculate saponification number

(mg KOH required to saponify 1 g fat) = 28.05 (B – S)/g oil

where B = mL 0.5M HCl required by blank and S = mL 0.5M HCl re-

quired for sample.

© 2000 AOAC INTERNATIONAL