A simple method for detection of Malum (Bassia Latifolia) seed’cake (MSC) in oil cake mixtures was devised. A 2% Ca(OH)2 suspension was added to the cold water extract of cake mixture to remove water soluble proteins and tannins as insoluble calcium pro-tein-tennate by filtration or centrifugation. Addition of dilute H2SO4 stabilized the filtrate. One ml of stabilized filtrate was added gently through the side of a test tube containing 3-4 ml of cone. H2SO4. The appearance of a characteristic violet or pink colour ring at the junction of the two liquids indicated the presence of MSC. For the cake mixtures yielding yellowish extract, a modified second test was developed based on hydrolysis of the saponin to sapogenol which appears as gelly like precipitate when the test sample extract is mixed with dilute H2SO4 and boiled on water bath after keeping it overnight.
