Detection of Argemone Oil in Mustard Oil

1 2 1＊ A.K. SHUKLA , A.K. DIXIT and R.P. SINGH 1 Department of Oil and Paint Technology, Harcourt Butler Technological Institute (Kanpur-208002, INDIA) 2 Department of Chemistry, V.S.S.D. College (Kanpur-208002, INDIA)

Edited by M. Fukatsu, Nihon Univ., and accepted September 22, 2004 (received for review August 9, 2004)

Abstract: In the present paper a new, very simple, rapid and economical qualitative technique is being reported. By means of this technique, adulteration of argemone oil in mustard oil can be detected. In the test, a small quantity of suspected oil successively treated with phenol and conc. sulphuric acid a deep red colour develops. Development of red colour in above test is due to formation of quinonoid compound and hydrolysed sanguinarine salt which indicates the presence of argemone oil as adulterant in test sample. Up to 0.05% argemone oil adulteration can be detected with the new technique. Key words: adulteration, argemone oil, sanguinarine

1 Introduction Dropsy is a dreaded disease caused by adulteration of Argemone mexicana seeds, which is obtained from yel- low poppy plant with seeds resembling the mustard seeds (Brassica nigra) (Fig. 1). The seed of Argemone mexicana is a common adulterant of mustard seed either by chance or for profit making. Argemone mexicana is an annual herb and natural- ized throughout India. It is common weed in the agricultural and waste lands. The seeds are norcotic and emetic. They yield (~ 30%) yellowish brown oil, known as “Argemone oil” apparently looking like mustard oil with respect to colour odor and even specific gravity (1). The oil is non-edible and contains two alkaloids namely sanguinarine and dihydro-sanguinarine. Inges- tion of argemone oil causes hypertension, glaucoma, dropsy, diarrhea, vomiting and anemia. The toxicity is attributed to the presence of the alkaloid sanguinarine, which is also carcinogenic. Recent trials have shown Fig. 1 Argemone Mexicana Plant. that the toxicity in the oil is due to the combined effect of sanguinarine and 11-oxotriacontanoic acids; the later

＊ Correspondence to: R.P. SINGH, Department of Oil and Paint Technology, Harcourt Butler Technological Institute, Kanpur-208 002, INDIA E-mail: [email protected], [email protected]

Journal of Oleo Science ISSN 1345-8957 print / ISSN 1347-3352 online 81 J. Oleo Scihttp://jos.jstage.jst.go.jp/en/., Vol. 54, No. 2, 81-83 (2005) A.K. Shukla, A.K. Dixit and R.P. Singh adds to the toxic activity of sanguinarine (2). No simple, rapid and reliable colour test is available in literature (3-6) for the detection/identification of argemone oil or its chief constituent, sanguinarine (I). In the present work, we have tried to develop a new simple and economical technique to identify Argemone oil when present alone in pure state and when present in mustard oil as an adulterant.

produce phenol formaldehyde, which is condensed quinonoid red coloured dye (III). In the test deep red colour is formed due to formation of 1:1 addition com- plex of compound (II) and compound (III). In the test when a small quantity of argemone-con- taining mustard oil is allowed to react successively with a phenol and conc. sulphuric acid, a deep red colour is developed. It has been observed by experimentation that the mustard oil does not give this reaction at all. The red colour of above test likely to be due to the formation of quinonoid ring and hydrolysed sanguinarine salt.

2 Experimental Down to 0.05% argemone oil adulteration can be Argemone seed was obtained from agricultural lands detected with the help of above technique. of Hardoi district, Uttar Pradesh (INDIA). Argemone oil was extracted by solvent extraction method, using n- 4 Conclusions hexane. The oil obtained was desolventised under vacu- um. The yield of oil was 30%. The above quick colour reaction give an opportunity Take 2-3 drops of the oil in a dry test tube and mix of testing adulteration of argemone oil in mustard oil. successively with one drop of liquid phenol and 2-4 mL The test has also been successful in checking adulter- of conc. sulphuric acid and shake. A deep red colour ation of argemone oil in other oils. develops within 10-20 seconds if argemone oil is present as adulterant. References

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82 J. Oleo Sci., Vol. 54, No. 2, 81-83 (2005) Detection of Argemone Oil in Mustard Oil

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