Quality assessment of edible sunflower (melianthus annuus) oil from small scale processors; a case study of Morogoro region Tanzania
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Date
2014
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Sokoine Univemelianthus annuusrsity of Agriculture
Abstract
A study was carried out to assess sunflower oil quality. A total number of 18 small scale
sunflower oil processors in Morogoro region were interviewed face to face using
structured questionnaire to collect information on processing practices including
registration of processors, access to training and packaging availabilities. Two batches of
processed oil were sampled according to the European Oil and Protein Meal Industry
(FEDOIL) procedures and subsequently assessed for physico-chemical properties
(refractive index, colour, specific gravity, moisture content, acid value, peroxide value,
iodine value and level of impurities) as per either International Standards (ISO) or IUPAC
methods. The data was subjected to analysis of variance and mean differences were tested
for significance at p
0.05. Results indicated that an alarming number of processors 89 %
were unregistered. Furthermore, 72 % of sunflower oil processors receive no training to
enable them acquire skills important for their operations. All 18 processors use plastic
containers for packaging and 89 % prefer to use 5 liters containers. It was revealed that 78
% of all small scale processors do not label their final products. Physico-chemical
parameters analyzed were within the standard limits of FAO/WHO and the Tanzania
Bureau of Standard except the insoluble impurities and peroxide values, which had the
highest values of 1.233 % (m/m) and 16.597 (meq/kg) respectively. Despite of these
results sunflower oil from small scale processors in Morogoro region is of good quality.
Government should facilitate quality enhancement and enforce food laws among small
scale sunflower oil processors. Willingness for change among processors attitudes on food
quality is needed.
Description
Dissertation
Keywords
Quality assessment, Sunflower oil quality, Sunflower oil processors, Melianthus annuus