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MS 2043 (2007) (English): VIRGIN COCONUT OIL –

SPECIFICATION
 MS 2043:2007
2043 :2007
MALAYSIAN
STANDARD

VIRGIN COCONUT OIL - SPECIFICATION

les : 67.200.1
les: 67.200.100
Descriptors
Descriptors:: virgin
virgin coconut
coconut oil,
oil, specification
specification,, test
test method,
method , composition,
composition , qualify
qualify factor
factor

© Copyright 2007

DEPARTMENT OF STANDARDS MALAYSIA

DEVELOPMENT OF MALAYSIAN STANDARDS

The Department of Standards Malaysia (STANDARDS MALAYSIA) is the national

standards and accreditation body of Malaysia.
Malaysia .

The main function

function of STANDARDS MALAYSIA is to foster and promote standards
standards,,
standardisation and accreditation as a means of advancing the national economy,
economy,
promoting industrial efficiency and development, benefiting the health and safety of
the public,
public, protecting the consumers,
consumers , facilitating domestic and international trade and
furthering international cooperation in relation to standards and standardisation
standard isation..

Malaysian Standards (MS) are developed through consensus by committees which

comprise ba lanced representation
comprise balanced representati on of producers,, users
of producers users,, consumers
consumers and
and others
others with
with
interests, as may be appropriate to the subject at hand.
relevant interests, hand . To the greatest
possible,, Malaysian Standards are al
extent possible igned to or are adoption of international
aligned
standards. Approval
standards. Approval of a standard
of a standard as
as a Malaysian Standard
a Malaysian Standard is
is governed
governed by
by the
the
Standards of Malaysia Act 1996 [Act 549]. Malaysian Standards are reviewed
period ically. The use of Malaysian Standards is voluntary except in so far as they are
periodically.
auth orities by means of regulations, local by-laws or
made mandatory by regulatory authorities
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any sim ilar ways
other similar ways ..

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agent to develop,
to develop,
distribute and sell the Malaysian Standards.
Standa rds .

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information on Malaysian Standards,
Standards, please contact:

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 2043:2007
MS 2043 :2007

CONTENTS

Page

Committee representation
representation.....................................................................................................
.................................................................................................... . ii

Foreword ...............................................................................................................................
Foreword....................... ......... ................ ...................... ......................................................... iii

Scope .......................................................................................................................

2 Normative references ...............................................................................................

3 Definition. ..... ..... ... ....... ..... .............. ........... ...... .......... ............ ............ ........ ............ ...
Definition.................................................................................................................. 2

4 characteristics.............................................................................................
Identity characteristics ............................................................................................. 2

5 Essential composition and quality characteristics ................................................... 2

6 Contaminants.....
Contaminants ..... ..... ..... ......... ..... ..... .... ............... ....... ... ... ........ ... ....... ... ...............
........................................................................................................... 4

7 Hygiene.................................................................................................................... 4

8 Packaging and labeling............................................................................................ 4

9 analysis...................................................................................................
Method of analysis ............................................... .................................................... 5

10 specification............................................................................
Compliance with the specification.......... .......................................... .............. .......... 5

11 requirements. ... .............. ............ ........ .... ...... ...... .......... .......... ....... .................
Legal requirements.................................................................................................. 5

Tables

1 properties.. ....... ............ ............... ... ............ ..... .......... ...... ....
Chemical and physical properties............................................................................ 2

2 Fatty acid composition ............................................................................................. 33

3 Quality characteristics................................................... ...........................................

characteristics.............................................................................................. 33

4 Method of analysis...................................................................................................
analysis................................................................................................... 55

Bibliography.................................................................... ......................................................
Bibliography... ... .......... ....... ........ ............ ........ ....... ..... .................. ........ ................. ................ 66

©
© STANDARDS
STANDARDS MALAYSIA 2007
2007 --All
All rights
rights reserved
reserved
 MS 2043:2007
MS 2043:2007

Committee representation
Committee representation

The Food
The Food and
and Food
Food Products Industry Standards
Products Industry Standards Committee
Committee (ISC
(ISC U)
U) under
under whose
whose authority
authority this
this Malaysian
MalaySian Standard
Standard
was developed,
was developed, comprises
comprises representatives
representatives from
from the
the following
following organisations:
organisations:

Department of
Department of Agriculture
Agriculture Malaysia
Malaysia

Department of
Department of Chemistry
Chemistry Malaysia
Malaysia

Department of
Department of Standards
Standards Malaysia
Malaysia

Federal Agricultural
Federal Agricultural Marketing
Marketing Authority
Authority

Federation of Malaysian
Federation of Malaysian Manufacturers
Manufacturers

Malaysian Agricultural Research

Malaysian Agricultural Research and
and Development
Development Institute
Institute

Malaysian Association
Malaysian Association of
of Standards
Standards Users
Users

Malaysian Institute
Malaysian of Food
Institute of Food Technology
Technology

Malaysian Palm Oil Association

Malaysian Palm
Malaysian Palm Oil
Oil Board
Board

Ministry of Agriculture
Ministry of Agriculture and
and Agro-Based
Agro-Based Industry
Industry

Ministry of Health
Ministry of Health Malaysia
Malaysia

Ministry of International,
Ministry of International, Trade
Trade and
and Industry
Industry

Ministry of Science,
Ministry of Science, Technology
Technology and
and Innovation
Innovation (National
(National Biotechnology
Biotechnology Division)
Division)

Universiti Kebangsaan
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
Malaysia

Universiti Putra
Universiti Putra Malaysia
Malaysia

The Working
The Working Group
Group on
on Virgin
Virgin Coconut
Coconut Oil
Oil which
which developed
developed this
this Malaysian
Malaysian Standard
Standard consists of representatives
consists of representatives from
from
the following organisations:

Federal Agricultural
Federal Agricultural Marketing
Marketing Authority
Authority

Malaysian Agricultural Research

Malaysian Agricultural Research and
and Development
Development Institute
Institute

Malaysian Palm Oil Board

Ministry of Health
Ministry of Health Malaysia
Malaysia

SIRIM Berhad (Secretariat)

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia

Universiti Putra Malaysia

ii © STANDARDS MALAYSIA 2007

2007 -All rights reserved
All rights reserved
 MS 2043:2007
MS 2043:2007

FOREWORD
FOREWORD

This
This Malaysian Standard was
Malaysian Standard was developed
developed by
by the
the Working
Working Group
Group on
on Virgin
Virgin Coconut
Coconut Oil
Oil under
under
the authority of
the authority of the
the Food and Food
Food and Products Industry
Food Products Industry Standards
Standards Committee.
Committee.

Compliance with
Compliance with a
a Malaysian Standard does
Malaysian Standard does not
not of
of itself
itself confer
confer immunity
immunity from
from legal
legal
obligations.
obligations.

© STANDARDS
STANDARDS MALAYSIA
MALAYSIA 2007
2007 -- All
All rights
rights reserved
reserved iiiiii
 MS 2043:2007

Oll-
VIRGIN COCONUT Oil - SPECIFICATION

1. Scope

Coconut
This Malaysian Standard prescribes the commercial quality requirements of Virgin Coconut
Oil (VCO) for human consumption.

2. Normative references
The following normative references are indispensable for the application of this standard. For
dated references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest
latest edition of
the normative references (including any amendments) apply.

MS 252: Part 3, Animal and vegetable fats and oils - Part 3: Determination of saponification
value

MS 817: Part 2, Methods of test for palm oil and palm oil products - Part 2: Determination of
moisture and volatile matter content)

MS 817: Part 3, Method of test for palm oil and palm oil products - Part 3: Determination of
iodine value

MS 817: Part 7: Section 1, Methods of test for palm oil and palm oil products - Part
Part 7:
Determination of unsaponifiable matter: Section 1: Method using diethyl ether
ether extraction
(Reference method)

MS 817: Part 7: Section 2, Methods of test for palm oil and palm oil products - Part 7:
Determination of unsaponifiable matter: Section 2: Rapid method using hexane extraction

MS 817: Part 11, Palm oil and palm oil products -Part 11: Determination of peroxide value

MS 817: Part 12, Palm oil and palm oil products -Part 12: Determination of lovibond colour

MS 1515: Part 3, Methods of sampling and test for palm glycerine --Part
Part 3: Determination of
Refractive Index

MS ISO 6321, Animal and vegetable fats and oils - Determination of melting point in open
open
capillary tubes (Slip point)

ISO 662, Animal and vegetable fats and oils - Determination of moisture and volatile matter
content

ISO 6883, Animal and vegetable fats and oils - Determination of conventional mass per
volume (litre weight in air)

AOCS Official Methods Ce 1e-91, Official methods and recommended practices of the AOCS,
5th Edition, 1997
h h
AOAC Official Method 966.23, Official Methods of Analysis of AOAC International1i
International1i Edition,
Edition,
2000

© STANDARDS MALAYSIA 2007 - All rights reserved

 MS 2043:2007
2043 :2007

11h
AOAC Official Method 986-15, Official Methods of Analysis of AOAC International 17th
Edition, 2000

ih Edition,
11h
AOAC Official Method 999.11, Official Methods of Analysis of AOAC International 1
2000

3. Definition

For the purpose of this Malaysian Standard, the following definition shall applies.

Virgin coconut oil

Virgin coconut oil is obtained from the mature kernel of the coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) by
mechanical oror natural means with or without the application of minimal heat which does not
lead to alteration of the product. Extra virgin coconut oil is also considered as virgin coconut
oil.

4. Identity characteristics

The product shall meet the chemical and physical

phYSical properties as specified in Table 1.

Table 1. Chemical and physical properties

Parameter Range I

Relative density, x DCI

°CI water at 20 DC
20°C 0.908 - 0.926
Refractive index,
index, at 40 DC
°C 1.447-1.450
1.447 - 1.450
Saponification value, mg KOH/g oil 248 - 265
Iodine
Iodine value,
value, Wijs method 5.5 - 10.6
Slip Melting Point, DC
°C 24-26
Unsaponifiable matter, %
Unsaponifiable s~ 0.2

5.
5. Essential composition and quality characteristics
5.1
5.1 Fatty
Fatty acid
acid composition

Fatty acid
Fatty acid composition
composition of
of the product shall fall within the appropriate ranges as specified in
Table
Table 2.
2.

22 © STANDARDS
© STANDARDS MALAYSIA
MALAYSIA 2007
2007 - All
All rights
rights reserved
 MS 2043:2007
MS 2043:2007

Table 2. Fatty acid composition

Fatty acid

Common name Carbon number I

%
Composition, %

Caproic acid
Caproic acid C 6:0
C 6:0 0.80 -- 0.95
0.80 0.95

Caprylic acid
Caprylic acid C 8:0
C 8:0 8.00 -- 9.00

: Capric acid C 10:0

C 10:0 5.00 -- 7.00
7.00

•L
I . aCI
Lauric
aUric 'd
acid C 12:0
C 12:0 47.00 -- 50.00
47.00 50.00

Myristic acid
Myristic acid C 14:0
C 14:0 17.00 -- 18.50
17.00 18.50

Palmitic acid
Palmitic acid C 16:0
C 16:0 7.50 -- 9.50
9.50

Palmitoleic acid C 16:1

C 16:1 Non-detectable

Stearic acid C 18:0

18:0 2.50 - 3.50

Oleic acid C 18:1

C 18:1 4.50 -6.00
4.50 - 6.00

Linoleic acid C 18:2 0.70 -1.50

- 1.50

Linolenic acid C 16:3

C 18:3 Non-detectable

5.2 Quality characteristics

VCO shall meet the quality characteristics as specified in Table 3.

Table 3. Quality characteristics

Parameter Range/Description
I

!
Clarity
Clarity Water clear (A fully transparent oil at above 30°C)

Odour and taste Free from foreign and rancid odour and taste

Free fatty acids < 0.5 %

<0.5%

Peroxide value < 3 meq/kg oil

. Moisture content %
< 0.15 % i

Total Plate Count < 10 cfu/mL

Insoluble impurities < 0.02 %

Colour R:<:;
0.1 R 0.5 Y
:<;;0.5

© STANDARDS MALAYSIA 2007 - All rights reserved 3

MS 2043:2007
MS 2043:2007

6. Contaminants
6.1
6.1 Volatile matter
Volatile matter

The product
The product shall
shall contain < 0.2
contain < % volatile
0.2 % volatile matter
matter at 105 ac.
at 105

6.2
6.2 Pesticide residues
Pesticide residues

The product
The product shall
shall free
free from
from any
any pesticide
pesticide residues.
residues.

6.3
6.3 Others
Others

The product
The product shall
shall comply
comply with
with maximum
maximum limits
limits as
as follows:
follows:

a)
a) Iron (Fe):~ 5.0
Iron (Fe):s; 5.0 mg/kg
mg/kg

b)
b) Copper:~ 0.4
Copper:5 0.4 mg/kg
mg/kg

c)
c) Lead:~ 0.1
Lead:5 0.1 mg/kg
mg/kg

d)
d) Arsenic:~ 0.1
Arsenic:5 0.1 mg/kg
mg/kg

7. Hygiene
The product
The product shall
shall be
be processed
processed and
and packed
packed under
under hygienic
hygienic conditions
conditions in
in premises
premises licensed
licensed in
in
accordance with
accordance with the
the public
public health
health legislations
legislations currently
currently enforced
enforced in
in Malaysia.
Malaysia.

8.
8. Packaging and labelling
Each individual
Each individual pack
pack shall
shall be
be marked
marked to
to give
give the
the following
following information:
information:

a)
a) name of
name of product
product "virgin
"virgin coconut
coconut oil";
oil";

b) brand name or trade name;

c) nett content;

d)
d) lot identification;
lot identification;

e) name and address of the manufacturer and/or packer, or

or distributor;

f) product of Malaysia;

g) date of manufacture;

h) best before;

i) ingredients; and

j)
j) nutritional values.

4 © STANDARDS MALAYSIA
© MALAYSIA 2007 - All rights reserved
 MS 2043:2007

9. Method of analysis

Product analysis shall be carried out according to the method specified in Table 4.

Table 4. Method of analysis

I
Type of determination Method
Relative Density ISO 6883
i
Refractive Index MS 1515: Part 3
I

Saponification Value (SV) MS 252: Part 3

Iodine Value (IV) MS 817: Part 3

MS 817: Part 7: Section 1

Unsaponifiable matter
MS 817: Part 7: Section 2

Slip Melting Points (SMP) MS ISO 6321

AOCS Official Methods Ce 1e-91,

1e-91, Official Methods and
Free fatty acids composition thth
Recommended Practices of the AOCS, 5 Edition, 1997
Moisture and Volatile matter
Moisture
MS 817: Part 2
content
Moisture and Matter volatile ISO 662
662

Peroxide
Peroxide Value
Value (PV)
(PV) MS 817: Part 11
AOAC Official Method 999.11, Official Methods of Analysis
Lead,
Lead, Iron, Copper hh
of AOAC International1i Edition, 2000
AOAC Official Method 986-15, Official Methods
Methods of Analysis
Arsenic
Arsenic
International 1ihh Edition, 2000
of AOAC International1i I

AOAC Official Method 966.23, Official Methods of Analysis

Total
Total Plate
Plate Count
Count
of AOAC International 17th
1ih Edition, 2000 •

Colour
Colour MS 817: Part 12
I

Compliance with
10. Compliance with the
the specification
Upon
Upon testing,
testing, when
when each
each sample is is found
found to conform to the requirements specified in this
standard, the
standard, the lot,
lot, batch
batch or
or consignment
consignment from
from which
which the sample has been drawn shall be
deemed
deemed toto comply
comply with
with this
this standard.
standard.

Legal requirements
11. legal
11. requirements
The product,
The product, in in all
all other
other aspects,
aspects, shall
shall comply
comply with the requirements of the legislation
currently in force
currently in force in
in Malaysia.
Malaysia.

© STANDARDS
© STANDARDS MALAYSIA
MALAYSIA 2007
2007 -- All
All rights
rights reserved
reserved 5
MS 2043:2007

Bibliography

[1] APPC standard for virgin coconut oil.

[2] General standard for the labelling of prepackaged foods (CODEX STAN 1-1985,
1-1985,
Rev.1-1991).

[3] standards (CODEX

Codex standard for edible fats and oils not covered by individual standards (CODEX
STAN 19-1981, Rev. 2-1999).

[4] Codex standard for olive oils and olive-pomace oils (CODEX-STAN 33-1981, Rev. 2-
2003).

[5] 2003,2005).
Codex standard for named vegetable oils (CODEX-STAN 210, amended 2003, 2005).

[6] Gonzales, L. A. 2004. Assessment and Development of Quality Standards for Virgin
Coconut Oil Produced From Different Processes. PQCRD: Philippine Coconut Authority.

6 © STANDARDS MALAYSIA 2007

2007 -- All
All rights
rights reserved
reserved
Acknowledgements

Members of Working Group on Virgin Coconut Oil

Dr Kamariah Long (Chairman) Malaysian Agricultural Research and

Development Institute
Development
Ms Rafidah Abd Hamid (Secretary) SIRIM Berhad
Mr Mat Ridzuan Zakaria Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority
Dr Sivapragasam Malaysian Agricultural Research and
Development
Development Institute
Dr Siew Wai Lin Malaysian Palm Oil Board
Mr Abdul Malek Manan Ministry of Health Malaysia
Assoc Prof Dr Mamot Said Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
Dr Tan Chin Ping Universiti Putra Malaysia

© STANDARDS MALAYSIA 2007 - All rights reserved