Overview
ISO 9910:1991 is an international standard developed by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) that specifies a reliable test method for determining the total carotenoids content in oil of sweet orange. This standard is essential for quality control, regulatory compliance, and ensuring the authenticity of sweet orange essential oils used in various industries. The method relies on spectrophotometric measurement of the sample dissolved in a light petroleum solvent, providing a precise quantification of carotenoids crucial for product characterization.
Key Topics
- Scope: Defines a detailed procedure to measure the total carotenoid pigments in sweet orange oil, including preparation, measurement, calculation, and reporting.
- Principle: Uses spectrophotometry to measure absorbance between 400 nm and 500 nm wavelengths, identifying the maximum absorbance corresponding to carotenoid content.
- Reagents: Utilizes light petroleum solvent with a boiling range of 40 °C to 60 °C for dissolving the test sample.
- Apparatus Required:
- Spectrophotometer capable of measuring between 400 nm and 500 nm
- 50 ml beaker
- 100 ml one-mark volumetric flask
- One-mark pipettes
- Analytical balance
- Cells with 1 cm depth
- Test Procedure:
- Weigh approximately 0.5 g of sweet orange oil sample.
- Dissolve the sample in light petroleum solvent up to 100 ml.
- Measure the absorbance spectrum and identify the peak absorbance value.
- Result Expression: Total carotenoids content is calculated in milligrams per kilogram using the absorbance value, sample mass, and a fixed molecular absorption coefficient.
Applications
- Quality Control in Essential Oil Production: Ensures consistent carotenoid levels which influence oil color and antioxidant properties.
- Authentication and Adulteration Detection: Helps verify the purity and origin of sweet orange oils by measuring characteristic carotenoid content.
- Food and Flavor Industry: Supports precise formulation by monitoring pigment levels affecting flavor stability and appearance.
- Cosmetic and Pharmaceutical Sectors: Provides essential data for product formulation where carotenoid content contributes to bioactivity and color properties.
Related Standards
- ISO 648:1977 – Laboratory glassware, one-mark pipettes: Ensures accuracy in volumetric measurements required by ISO 9910.
- ISO 1042:1983 – Laboratory glassware, one-mark volumetric flasks: Specifies apparatus standards to maintain precision in solution preparation for carotenoid testing.
- ISO/TC 54 – Technical committee on essential oils: Oversees development and revision of standards related to essential oils like sweet orange oil.
By adhering to ISO 9910:1991, laboratories gain a standardized approach to quantify total carotenoids in sweet orange oil-supporting reliable product characterization and enhancing trust in essential oil quality worldwide. This standard plays a critical role in analytical chemistry for essential oils, helping industries maintain rigorous quality and regulatory standards.