Comparative study of physicochemical properties of cold pressed groundnut oil and refined groundnut oil from well known brands in Bengaluru

Groundnut oil is widely used in India since time immemorial since it is tasty, has good nutritive value and is affordable. Groundnut oil is extracted by cold pressed (traditional)method or by Refined method (modern). The cold pressed method involves crushing nuts and forcing oil under pressure without use of much chemicals and without generation of too much heat. It is claimed that this method of oil extraction does not cause loss of nutrition in the extraction process. This increases the cost of oil, as less oil can be extracted from the nuts by this method. The refined oil method uses high temperature and chemicals for oil extraction, which is said to strip oil of many nutrients. More oil can be extracted by this method and so, decreases the cost of oil. This paper compares various physicochemical properties of cold pressed and refined ground nut oil of popular brands available in Bengaluru city to find out which method of oil extraction is beneficial for health. Acid value, Iodine value, Peroxide value, Antioxidant activity were some of the parameters evaluated for comparison.