Overview
ISO 3656:2011/Amd 1:2017 is an international standard issued by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) that specifies the method for determining the ultraviolet (UV) absorbance expressed as specific UV extinction of animal and vegetable fats and oils. This amendment to the 2011 fourth edition clarifies procedures and enhances measurement accuracy to support quality control and conformity assessment in the fats and oils sector. Notably, this standard excludes milk and milk-derived fats from its scope, focusing instead on other animal and plant-based fats and oils.
Key Topics
- Specific UV Extinction Measurement: Defines how to quantify UV absorbance in fats and oils, a critical indicator of purity and quality.
- Absorbance Scale Verification: Recommends checking the absorbance scale linearity and photometric accuracy using potassium dichromate solutions sealed in UV quartz cells. This ensures reliable and repeatable measurements.
- Sample Types: Applicable to various types of oils, including extra virgin olive oil, refined olive-pomace oil, blended oils, and others, as demonstrated in Annex A of the document.
- Safety Considerations: Emphasizes careful handling of substances such as potassium dichromate and potassium chromate, which are classified as carcinogenic and mutagenic.
- Reference Methods: Aligns with procedural guidelines as per ISO/IEC Directives and includes cross-references to relevant documents, including the European Pharmacopoeia's guidelines on UV absorption spectrophotometry.
Applications
- Quality Control in Food Industry: This standard is essential for producers and laboratories analyzing animal and vegetable fats and oils to monitor product quality, detect adulteration, and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements.
- Authenticity Verification: Helps in verifying the authenticity of oils by measuring UV absorbance profiles characteristic of specific oil types or blends.
- R&D and Product Development: Provides a reliable analytical technique for researchers developing new fat and oil-based products or improving existing formulations.
- Conformity Assessment: Facilitates international trade by standardizing measurement methods recognized globally, aiding manufacturers and importers/exporters in meeting technical barriers to trade requirements.
Related Standards
- ISO/IEC Directives – Guidelines for the development and maintenance of ISO standards to ensure consistency and quality.
- European Pharmacopoeia 2.2.25 – Provides detailed procedures for UV-visible absorption spectrophotometry, complementing the methodology specified in ISO 3656.
- Other ISO Standards in Fats and Oils (ISO/TC 34/SC 11) – Comprehensive suite of standards covering various aspects of animal and vegetable fats and oils, including composition, quality, and testing methods.
By adopting ISO 3656:2011/Amd 1:2017, industries engaged with animal and vegetable fats and oils ensure precise UV extinction measurement, supporting high-quality product assurance and regulatory compliance. For more information, visit the ISO website.
Open preview (PDF)Animal and vegetable fats and oils — Determination of ultraviolet absorbance expressed as specific UV extinction — Amendment 1
