B.
GENERAL TESTS
Fats and Related Substances Tests
The Fats and Related Substances Tests are designed to determine the ester
value, saponification value, acid value, and hydroxyl value of fats and related sub-
stances such as fatty acids, higher aliphatic alcohols, and fatty acid esters, excluding
flavoring substances.
1. Ester Value
The ester value is the number of mg of potassium hydroxide (KOH) required to
saponify the esters in 1 g of a sample.
Hereinafter in the Monographs, such a specification as 125−164 (Fats and Re-
lated Substances Tests) indicates that when determined as directed in the proce-
dure below, the ester value is 125−164.
Procedure Unless otherwise specified, determine the saponification value and
the acid value, and calculate the ester value by the following formula:
Ester value = Saponification value − Acid value
2. Saponification Value
The saponification value is the number of mg of potassium hydroxide (KOH) to
saponify the esters in 1 g of the sample and neutralize the free acids in 1 g of a
sample.
Procedure Unless otherwise specified, proceed as follows: Weigh accurately
about 1 g of the sample, transfer into an Erlenmeyer flask, add 40 ml of ethanol, and
dissolve while warming if necessary. Add 20 ml of ethanolic potassium hydroxide TS,
accrately measured, equip the flask with a reflux condenser, and heat in a water bath
for 30 minutes while shaking the flask occasionally. Cool, add a few drops of
phenolphthalein TS, and immediately titrate excess potassium hydroxide with 0.5
mol/l hydrochloric acid. Perform a blank test, and calculate the saponification value
by the formula
( a − b ) × 28 .05
Saponifica tion value =
Weight ( g ) of the sample
where a = volume (ml) of 0.5 mol/l hydrochloric acid consumed in the blank
test,
b = volume (ml) of 0.5 mol/l hydrochloric acid consumed in the test.
3. Acid Value
The acid value is the number of mg of potassium hydroxide (KOH) required to
neutralize 1 g of a sample.
Hereinafter in the Monographs, such specification as not more than 15 (Fats and
Related Substances Tests) indicates that when determined as directed in the follow-
B. GENERAL TESTS
ing procedure, the acid value is not more than 15.
Procedure Unless otherwise specified, proceed as follows: Weigh accurately the
specified quantity of the sample given in the table, according to the acid value of the
table, and, unless otherwise specified, add 50 ml of an ethanol−ether mixture (1 : 1).
Dissolve while heating if necessary, and use this solution as the test solution. Cool,
add a few drops of phenolphthalein TS, titrate with 0.1 mol/l ethanolic potassium
hydroxide until the pink color of the solution persists for 30 seconds, and calculate
the acid value by the formula below. Before using the solvent, add 0.1 mol/l ethanolic
potassium hydroxide to the solvent until its pink color persists for 30 seconds, using
phenolphthalein TS as an indicator.
Volume (ml ) of 0.1 Mol/l ethanolic
potassium hydroxide consumed
Acid value = × 5.611
Weight (g ) of the sample
Table
Acid value Weight (g) of sample
Less than 5 10
5 to less than 15 5
15 to less than 50 3
50 to less than 120 1
Not less than 120 0.5
4. Hydroxyl Value
The hydroxyl value is the number of mg of potassium hydroxide (KOH) required
to neutralize acetic acid combined to hydroxyl groups, when 1 g of a sample is
acetylated under the following conditions.
Hereinafter in the Monographs, such a specification as 155−187 (Fats and
Related Substances Tests), provided the acid value is assumed to be 0 indicates that
when determined as directed in the following procedure by assuming the acid value to
be 0, the hydroxyl value is 155−187.
Procedure Unless otherwise specified, proceed as follows: Weigh accurately 1 g
of the sample, transfer into a round-bottom flask shown in the figure, and add 5 ml of
acetic anhydride−pyridine TS, accurately measured. Place a small funnel on the
neck of the flask, and heat for 1 hour while immersing the flask to the depth of about
1 cm from the bottom into an oil bath at 95−100℃. Cool, add 1 ml of water, shake
well, and heat for 10 minutes. After cooling, rinse the funnel and the neck of the flask
with 5 ml of ethanol, and titrate with 0.5 mol/l ethanolic potassium hydroxide
(indicator: 1 ml of phenolphthalein TS). Perform a blank test, and calculate the
B. GENERAL TESTS
hydroxyl value by the formula
(a − b) × 28 .05
Hydroxyl value = + acid value
Weight (g ) of the sample
where a = volume (ml) of 0.5 mol/l ethanolic potassium hydroxide consumed in
the blank test,
b = volume (ml) of 0.5 mol/l ethanolic potassium hydroxide consumed
in the test.
