Composition of malva oil (Abutilon avicennae. Gaertn.)

Abstract

Analytical data are presented on the oil of A. avicennae with a view to its detection as adulterant in commercial edible oils. Tabulated results are given for physico-chemical characteristics, fatty acid composition, positional isomers of monounsaturated C17:1 and C18:1 acids, and composition of unsaponifiable, hydrocarbon, triterpene alcohol, 4-methylsterol and sterol fractions of refined oil. The small % of cyclic acids (max. total 1.26%) containing the cyclopropane ring (which may constitute a health hazard) remaining in the refined oil is enough to detect ≥10% of malva oil in commercial edible oils. The sterol fraction was characterized by the presence of a number of 7-sterols.