ADULTERATION IN SPICE (Spice Adulteration)

ADULTERATION IN SPICE - CHAPTER - 3 #

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Common adulterants of Spices are dummy products, synthetic color, colored flours and saw dusts, Bricks and colored chalk powder.

3.1. Adulteration of Argemone seeds in Mustard black & Mustard Fine:

Detection Method:

•     Spread approx 10 gram of Mustard black or Fine mustard sample on a white paper.
•     Then separate out argemone seed as seen in picture from whole sample and verified with glass lens by care full observation as described in morphological characteristics of Argemone seed.
•     Morphological characteristic of  Argemone Maxicana -  Argemone seeds have roufh groves on upper surface and color is brown to blackish.

Health Effect of Argemone seeds:
The seeds resemble the seeds of Brassica nigra (mustard). As a result, mustard can
be adulterated by argemone seeds, rendering it poisonous. Argemone seeds contains toxic
chemicals, namely Sanguinarine and Dihydrosanguinarine. Consumption of adulterated
mustard seed (Brassica nigra) with argemone seed (Argemone mexicana) even for a short
duration leads to a clinical condition referred as.

- Epidemic dropsy.

- Oxidative stress and

- Death of red blood cells via met-hemoglobin formation by altering pyridine nucleotide(s) and glutathione redox potential. 

Reason to be Adulterated: 

Argemone seed is not deliberately added that should be come from agriculture land added but due to high labor charge and illiteracy that should not removed out by manufacture.

3.2. Detection of Lead Chromate as adulterant in Turmeric Whole:

About Lead Chromate: Lead(II) chromate is used in some pyrotechnic compositions, especially delay compositions, as an oxidizer. Up to the late 1800s it was used to impart a bright yellow color to some types of food materials.

Reason to be Adulterated: Lead Chromate is used for the Yellow brightness of Spices and other food materials.  Due to the artificial brightness the product looks like a good quality.

Detection Method: 

- Pour one spoon of turmeric powder in one  glass water.

- if yellow color observed within few second that means turmeric powder adulterated with Lead choromate (a Cole tar dye).

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