Microwave Assisted Rapid, Efficient and Eco-Friendly Estimation of Saponification Value of Some Medicinal Oils

Microwave technology is the current approach in green chemistry. Green chemistry prevents environmental problems by incorporating pollution prevention practices in laboratories and industries. Microwave energy is utilized for rapid chemical transformations in liquid and solid state. Microwave technology has not been used very much in traditional system of medicine. Here in the microwave technology has been utilized for the determination of saponification value of some oils from natural sources having medicinal value, as a parameter of their standardization. The saponification values of four oil samples extracted from Cardiospermum halicacabum seeds, Astragalous hamosus seeds, egg yolk and olive oil were estimated using microwave method for the purpose of standardization. It was found that best results were obtained when irradiated at 720W microwave power for 4–6 min. The results were comparable to those obtained after saponification with ethanolic KOH at 90°C under reflux conditions for 1 hour. The microwave assisted method is rapid, accurate and efficient environmental co-friendly. Besides this the procedure is simple and convenient, a large number of samples can be analyzed easily in a short period of time and thus can be utilized for quality control of oils and fats.