The present study was aimed to detect the adulteration of ghee with vanaspati
using the spectrophotometry analysis method. Spectral wavelength of 348 nm to
570 nm were used to determine and make a comparison of the absorbance values
of pure ghee and ghee adulterated with partially hydrogenated vegetable oil that
were obtained from the local market in Baripada. The study clearly showed that
the market ghee adulterated with partially hydrogenated vegetable oil had lower
absorbance difference value than the pure ghee (control). Market ghee (sample 6)
with deviation value -0.06 was found to be least adulterated. The experiment and
its results are suggesting that the samples of ghee from the local markets are
adulterated with partially hydrogenated vegetable oils otherwise known as
Vanaspati because the samples are showing negative deviation value from the
control. The variation in absorbance may be due to the lengths of carbon chains
and the ester bonds present in the samples.
Keywords: Vanaspati, desi ghee, adulteration, spectrophotometry
