AOCS Official Method Da 2a-48

Reapproved 2009
Moisture and Volatile Matter, Air Oven Method for Edible oil
DEFINITION
This method determines the moisture and any materials volatile under the
conditions of the test.
SCOPE
This method is applicable to soaps and soap products. It is not applicable to
products containing appreciable amounts of sodium silicate, more than 1%
glycerol, and soaps produced from oils, such as linseed oil, that tend to oxidize
readily. The distillation method must be used for these products. Replaces Da
2a-42.
APPARATUS
1. Air ovenmaintained at 103 2C, AOCS Specification H 3-45.
2. Porcelain or glass moisture dishes6080 mm dia and 20-40 mm depth or
equivalent.
3. Desiccatorcontaining an efficient desiccant. Calcium chloride is not
satisfactory. See AOCS Specification H 9-87.
PROCEDURE
1. Weigh 5 0.01 g of test sample into a tared moisture dish which has been
previously dried for 1 hr at 105 2C and cooled to room temperature in a
desiccator.
2. Dry the test portion to constant weight in an air oven at 105 2C, cool to
room temperature in a desiccator, and weigh.
3. Constant weight is attained when successive 1 hr heating periods show a l1oss
(or gain) of not more than 0.1%.

CALCULATION
Moisture and volatile matter,

% loss

I
ma -- mb
------------------ma

--

100 %

mc

ma = mass, before heating

mb

= mass after heating

mc = mass of empty porcelain pr dishes