Quality and safety evaluation of important parameters in palm oil from major cities in Ghana

Ghanaian consumers’ confidence and trust in palm oil have become weak over the past few years. This research seeks to evaluate the quality and safety (Sudan adulteration) parameters of palm oil samples from seven major cities in Ghana using a completely randomized design with three replications. In all, 70 samples of palm oil were collected from different locations (Accra, Kumasi, Takoradi, Ho, Cape Coast, Koforidua and Sunyani. Parameters measured included: free fatty acid (FFA), acid value (AV), peroxide value (PV), saponification value (SV), moisture content (MC), iodine value (IV) and authenticity (Sudan dye adulteration). The results revealed that the quality and safety of palm oil samples in these cities are fairly different as some show above limits. All seven regions recorded IV values lower than the 55.0–55.0 mg/L range. Four out of the 7 regions recorded values above the stipulated standards (0.25%) for MC three for SP (211.6 mg/g) and two for PV (11.3 mEq/Kg). However, data from oil acidity determination were the source of worry as all regions had values above the 10.0 mg KOH/g acidity maximal limit for CPO, and the Central region registered more than two times (22.5 mg KOH/g) the limit. Sudan 4 dye, which should not be found in CPO was also detected in samples from all seven regions. Again, the Central region recorded a value as high as 6.18 mg/L. With regards to the fact that high acidity could be an indication of CPO hydrolysis, coupled with available moisture which facilitates degradation reactions involved in food spoilage, one can perhaps infer that the overall quality of CPO samples assessed was poor. Additionally, the CPO samples were not safe for consumption. There was evidence of adulteration with Sudan dyes, particularly Sudan 4.