Comparative Product Testing

Comparative Product Testing

Wanting to live a healthy life is a decision to make. It’s no

Choose the more a choice. Hence, the below compilation that takes
you through the many nuances of choosing the best rice

best rice bran oil holds good for everyone. Here, we are going to talk
about rice bran oil, a cooking oil enriched with oryzanol

bran oil for

(a natural antioxidant). Among the many health benefits,
the oil is also helpful in reducing hypertension, which is a
major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, the deadliest

a healthy non-communicable disease. As they say a stich in time

saves nine, why not to know about the best rice bran oil

life! that will satiate your hunger pangs and keep you fit as
well. Here’ a complete guide.
A Consumer Voice Report

I n this month’s comparative test study, our

team has singled out seven popular brands
of rice bran oils and tested the brands at an
lowering abilities. Moreover, the oil is very light
and the flavor is delicate. Foods cooked with rice
bran oil absorb up to 15-20 percent less oil! Less oil
NABL accredited lab to rank the oils as per their absorbed results in reduced calories, better, lighter
performances. Rice bran oil is preferred primarily tasting food and enhanced flavor and palatability.
for its rich oryzanol, vitamin E, ideal fatty acid Less oil absorbed also makes it more economical.
balance, antioxidant capacity, and cholesterol- In our comparative test of seven regular selling
10 CONSUMER VOICE - december 2021
 Comparative Product Testing

brands, each brand was evaluated based on

parameters including oryzanol, saponification
value, unsaponifiable matter, MUFA, PUFA,
saturated fatty acid, moisture, refractive index,
specific gravity, iodine value, peroxide value, flash
point, argemone oil, etc. among others.

How we test
The comparative testing was done by following
specified national standards FSS regulations.
However, a few parameters were taken from
other relevant national standard IS: 3448-2014 rice
bran oil specifications. And as usual, the testing
was conducted at an NABL accredited and FSSAI
approved laboratory following the standard test
procedures. Each brand was purchased from the CV Recommendations
retail market, masked and coded before given to
the lab for testing. Top Performer
Gemini
Brands tested
Value for Money Brand
So, here are the test results and rankings. The table
below will show you which brand secured the
Good Life
highest and lowest positions.

Rank Score Brand Quantity,gm MRP, Rs Best Before, Manufacturer/ marketer

Months
1 92 Gemini 1L (910 gm) 215 9 Cargill India Pvt Ltd
2 90 Good Life 1L (910 gm) 185 9 Reliance Retail Limited
2 90 Freedom 1L (910 gm) 185 9 Gemini Edible & Fats India Pvt.
Ltd.
3 87 Patanjali 1L (910 gm) 175 9 Patanjali Ayurved Limited
4 86 Emami 1L (910 gm) 180 8 Emami Agrotech Limited
4 86 Fortune 1L (910 gm) 205 12 Adani Wilmar Ltd.
5 84 Ricela 1L (910 gm) 215 9 A.P. Organics Ltd.

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 Comparative Product Testing

Key findings
• Based on overall score, brand Gemini Why Rice Bran Oil?
performed on top followed by Good Life and
Freedom. Rice bran oil is a naturally occurring
source of oryzanol, a nutrient is known
• Good Life is the Value for Money brand to have anti-oxidant, anti-carcinogenic,
• Good Life had the highest percentage of anti-ulcer, anti-stress, lipotropic,
oryzanol followed by Gemini and Fortune. hypothalamic, endocrinological effects
and athletic benefits, it also treats nerve
• MUFA was found highest in Freedom and
lowest in Gemini. imbalance, disorders of menopause and
benefits to the skin similar to that of
• PUFA was found highest in Gemini and
vitamin E. The oil has the best balance
lowest in Freedom.
of saturated, monounsaturated and
• All brands have been found free from polyunsaturated fats as recommended by
argemone/adulteration of other oils the American Heart Association and the
• Heavy metals and Aflatoxins have not been World Health Organization. It’s the oil of
detected in any brand choice for improving serum cholesterol
levels and preventing cardiovascular
• All the brands have met FSSAI standard
regulation diseases.

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 Comparative Product Testing

Comparative performance (scores) of physically refined rice bran oils

Brand Wt. Gemini Good Freedom Patanjali Emami Fortune Ricela
% Life
Parameters
Moisture 5 4.1 3.5 5.0 4.4 5.0 3.5 3.5
Refractive index 5 4.50 4.2 4.35 4.20 4.55 4.2 4.20
Specific Gravity 5 3.60 3.02 3.96 2.56 3.04 2.98 2.50
Iodine value 7 6.12 5.52 6.16 5.55 4.81 4.92 5.61
Peroxide value 5 4.50 4.65 4.75 4.85 5.00 5.00 4.85
Saponification value 7 6.32 6.75 6.62 6.76 5.10 5.40 5.94
Unsaponifiable matter 7 6.44 7.00 6.16 5.32 5.60 5.04 4.76
Flash Point 3 3.00 2.70 2.76 2.82 2.70 2.82 2.88
Acid value 4 4.00 3.72 3.44 3.72 3.72 3.72 3.72
Argemone oil 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
Oryzanol 12 11.28 12.00 9.36 10.32 9.84 10.80 9.12
MUFA 5 4.10 4.18 4.99 4.12 4.17 4.12 4.13
PUFA 5 4.95 4.32 3.11 4.25 4.26 4.60 4.40
Saturated Fatty Acid 4 2.83 2.53 3.53 2.32 2.45 2.60 2.48
Trans Fatty Acid 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2
Heavy Metal 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8
(Pb,As,Cd,Hg)
Aflatoxin total 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4
Organoleptic tests 3 3 3 3 3 3 3 3

TEST PARAMETERS Unsaponifiable matter

Oryzanol Unsaponifiable matter includes substances those
Oryzanol is a natural antioxidant and is known are frequently found dissolved in fatty acids and
to reduce the absorption and deposition of LDL drying oils. Unsaponifiable matter should not
and VLDL (bad) serum cholesterol. Oryzanol be more than 3.5 per cent for chemically refined
may help in reducing hypertension. It may also oil and 4.5 per cent for physically refined oil. All
improve bone-mineral density and liver function the brands have been found within the specified
and gives relief from gastrointestinal distress. It limit. Good Life scored highest in this parameter
shall not be less than one percent. followed by Gemini and Freedom.

Oryzanol has been found well above the minimum Saponification value
requirement in all tested brands. Good Life had The saponification value helps to detect the
the highest percentage of oryzanol followed by presence of other oils/fats. Saponification value of
Gemini and Fortune. rice bran oil should be between 180 and 195. All

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 Comparative Product Testing

the brands have been found within the specified cholesterol levels in your blood which can lower
limit. Patanjali scored highest in this parameter your risk of heart disease and stroke. Sources of
followed by Good Life and Freedom. PUFA include walnuts, sunflower seeds, sesame
seeds, peanut butter and peanuts, flaxseed, poppy
Iodine Value
seed and oil of avocado, olive and safflower. PUFA
The iodine value is a measure of unsaturated has been found highest in Gemini and lowest in
fats. It is a quality parameter for edible oil. Iodine Freedom.
value of rice bran oil shall be between 90-105. All
the brands have been found within the specified Peroxide value
limit. Freedom scored highest in this parameter Detection of peroxide gives the initial evidence
followed by Gemini and Ricela. of rancidity in unsaturated fats and oils.
Concentration of peroxide in an oil or fat is useful
MUFA (Monounsaturated fatty acids)
for assessing the extent to which spoilage has
MUFAs are a healthy type of fat. MUFA and advanced. As per the FSS Regulation it shall be
PUFA as per the dietary recommendation helps up to 10 Meg/kg. All the brands have been found
in biochemical processes associated with nerves, within the specified limit.
brains, heart, digestion, and cell maintenance.
Sunflower oil contains as much as 85 per cent Specific Gravity at 30°C/30°C
MUFA. MUFAs lower the level of bad cholesterol Specific gravity is the ratio of the density of a
(LDL) in the blood and raise the good cholesterol material to the density of water. Specific gravity
(HDL). MUFA was highest in Freedom and lowest of edible oils should be less than 1.00 as they
in Gemini. are immiscible liquids, which means they are
insoluble in water. As per the Indian Standard,
PUFA (Polyunsaturated fatty acids)
specific gravity of rice bran oil shall be in the range
Polyunsaturated fats can help reduce bad of 0.910–0.920.

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 Comparative Product Testing

Moisture and volatile matter The crops can be contaminated by aflatoxins

Moisture is the amount of water present in mainly due to the insufficiency of cultivation
edible oils. The amount of water should be lower or storage techniques. The possible presence of
than 0.10 per cent by weight which is standard aflatoxins in edible oil is inevitable which can
permissible limit. All the brands have been found cause some health problems for consumers. All the
within the specified limit. Freedom and Emami brands have been found within the specified limit.
scored highest in this parameter.
Fatty acid profile
Refractive index at 40OC
The proportion of different types of fatty acids
Refractive index of oil is used to detect rancidity in varies from one type of oil to another. An average
edible oil. It shall be between 1.4600-1.4700 for rice person should limit the saturated-fat intake.
bran oils. All the brands have been found within Eating a lot of saturated fat increases the level of
the specified limit. Emami and Gemini scored
bad cholesterol (low density lipoproteins, or LDL)
highest in this parameter.
in the blood. And it is generally acknowledged that
Flash Point, pensky-martens (closed) high levels of LDL place one at greater risk of heart
At the flash point, the vapour may cease to burn disease. Saturated and trans fats are unhealthy
when the source of ignition is removed. It should ‘bad’ fats that can increase one’s cholesterol,
not be less than 250 degrees celsius in case of rice harden the arteries and eventually increase one’s
bran oil. The higher the flash point of rice bran risk for heart disease. Approximately 20 per cent
oil, the lower is the risk of ignition in the oil. Flash to 35 per cent of one’s total calories should come
point of all the brands was above 250 degree C from ‘good’ fats, like PUFAs and MUFAs.
thus meeting the requirement of standard. Gemini
scored highest in this parameter. Saturated Fat
Eating foods that contain saturated fats raises
Acid value
the level of cholesterol in your blood. Saturated
It is a relative measure of rancidity as free fats raise HDL cholesterol and change LDL from
fatty acids are normally formed during small, dense (bad) to large LDL, which is mostly
decomposition of oil. It shall be not more than benign. Saturated fat has been found highest in
0.5. All the brands have been found within the Patanjali and lowest in Freedom.
specified limit. Gemini scored highest in this
parameter. Trans Fat

Test for argemone oil Rice bran oil is known for trans fat free oil. Trans
fat was not detected in any brand.
The oil shall be free from argemone oil.
Consumption of this oil can lead to health hazards. Packaging
Argemone oil was not detected in any brand. Rice bran oil shall be packed in suitable well
Heavy metals closed tin or plastic containers of food grade.
The packing material should not affect the
Edible oils are generally low in trace element
concentrations, however, metals such as arsenic properties of the oil and at the same time
(As), lead (Pb), cadmium (Cd) and mercury total maintains the shelf life of the product. All the
can be found and are known for their toxicities brands of rice bran oils except Patanjali were
which affect the health of consumers. All the packed in poly pack of 1 liter capacity. Patanjali
brands passed these tests. had plastic bottle packing.

Aflatoxin
The total aflatoxin shall be maximum 15 µg/kg.
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 Comparative Product Testing

Marking/labeling Organoleptic tests

The containers shall be marked with the following All brands have golden yellow colour, acceptable
information: taste and flavor.
a) Name, trade name, type and grade of the oil
Conclusion
b) Name and business particulars of the
manufacturer The seven tested rice bran oil brands are safe in
c) Net quantity of the contents in the container terms of toxic metal and aflatoxin. They have been
found free from argemone oil and adulteration
d) Batch number
of other oils. Oryzanol was found well above
e) Month and year of packing/manufacture
the specified limit which is a natural antioxidant
f) Best before
and is known to reduce the absorption and
g) Free from argemone oil deposition of low-density lipoprotein (LDL). In
h)  Nutritional information a nutshell, rice bran oil is considered to be heart-
i) MRP friendly oil that might help in lowering cholesterol
j)   Customer care details because it contains the right amount of oryzanol.
All the brands passed the national standard
All the brands were marked with above requirement. In overall brand Gemini performed
information. on top followed by Good Life and Freedom.

Net weight All brands have mentioned its shelf life between
Net weight should be as declared on packaging. 8-12 months. Consumers must keep this in mind
However as per legal metrology while buying (particularly large Pack above 5
(Packaged commodity) rule, tolerance allowed is Liter capacities), must ensure that its shelf life is
1.5 per cent. All the brands have been found above adequate that it would remain stable within the
or within tolerance 1000 ml. consumption period.

Better to Know
a. Shelf life
All the tested brands had a shelf life of 8-12 months. Consumers buying above 5-liter capacities
must ensure that the product shelf life is adequate for the consumption period.
b. Good and bad fats in edible oils
Monounsaturated Polyunsaturated Saturated Trans
Good fat Good fat Bad fat Bad Fat
Reduces bad cholesterol Reduces bad Increases overall cholesterol Increases the bad
(LDL) levels and cholesterol levels, especially bad cholesterol (LDL) level
increases good (LDL) levels cholesterol and decreases good
cholesterol (HDL) levels cholesterol (HDL) levels
Found in nuts and seeds, Found in Found in animal-based Found in hydrogenated
avocados, olive oil, and fatty fish such foods such as meat, poultry oil products such as
canola oil as salmon, and eggs, and also in butter, vanaspati, margarine
mackerel, trout cream and other dairy and vegetable
and sardines, products Also found in shortenings used
and also in plant-based products such in packaged snack
corn, safflower, as coconut, coconut oil, foods such as cookies,
sunflower and palm oil, and palm kernel crackers, and chips,
soybean oils oil, and cocoa butter and fried foods.
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