NationalLibraryOfScotland/medical-history-of-british-india huggingface dataset:
March, 1953]
K.
A.
ALIM
57
sold to other pedigree dairy herds —0.0001. It will be seen that the dams of bulls
kept were inferior than the dams of bulls sold to other pedigree dairy herds.
This is due to the fact, that most farmers pay considerable attention to the
performance of the dams of bulls of low butterfat per cent and keep the bulls of
these dams for use at home, while those bulls, whose dams were not as low in
butterfat test, were sold.
DISCUSSION
The primary effect of selection is to change gene frequency by causing some
individuals to have more offspring than the others. It has been the practice among
dairy farmers to use the methods of mass selection to raise the values of their stock.
Under this system, the most suitable types, were chosen as parents of the next
generation and mated at random among themselves. It is therefore of interest
to determine what probable effect this selection has had in the development of
different herds.
The results obtained showed that no selection for butterfat per cent is evidenced
in these herds. The negative values reported could be explained on the grounds
that any positive selection for characteristics that show a negative correlation with
the butterfat per cent would tend to lower the genetic gain in it. Again, selection
for characteristics that are not directly related to butterfat test, viz. conformation
and type—would also have the same effect. However, the correlation between
the milk yield and the butterfat per cent is negative and it was shown by Rendel,
Robertson and Alim [1951], that the breeders carry out selection for milk yield in
these herds.
SUMMARY
The rate of culling for butterfat per cent in 11 herds was described. The annual
genetic superiority was —0∙0032 for dams to breed cows, —0∙0107 for dams of the
bulls retained in the herds and —0∙0001 for dams of the bulls sold to other herds.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
I wish to express my thanks to Dr Rendel J. M. and Dr Alan Robertson for
their help throughout this work.
REFERENCES
Lush, J. L. (1948). Heritability of Quantitative Characters in Farm Animals, Proc. Eighteenth
Int. Congr. Genet. Stockh
Mahadevan, P. (1950). Studies in Herd Analysis. Ph. D. Thesis, Glasgow University
Rendel, J. M. and Robertson A. (1950). Selection in a Closed Herd of Dairy Cattle. J. Genet. 50, 1
Rendel, J. M., Alan Robertson and Alim K. A. (1951). The Extent of Selection For Milk Yield
in Dairy Cattle, Empire J. Expt. Agric. 19, 76
Seath, D. M. (1940). The Intensity and Kind of Selection actually practised in dairy Herds.
J. Dairy Sci., 23, 931
Wright, N. C. (1933). Wastage in Dairy Cows. Scot. J. Agric., 16, 31
Ward, A. H. (1943). Sixteenth Ann. Rept. New Zealand Dairy Board
STUDIES ON THE QUALITY OF GHEE AVAILABLE IN
THE WHOLESALE AND RETAIL MARKETS OF
CALCUTTA
By MRITYUNJOY PROSAD GUHA AND MANISHI PROSAD GUHA, Chemical
Laboratory, Presidency College, Calcutta, and SIWNARAIN RAMNARAIN, Agmark
Ghee Grading Laboratory, Howrah
(Received for publication on 16 June 1952)
O F late the question of adulteration of ghee is drawing so much attention
of the people of this country that a committee has been set up by the Govern-
ment of India under the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (Food), which is busy
in actively considering the different aspects of the problem of adulteration of ghee.
The present authors are connected with the ghee trade for a long time and would
like to place on record their own experiences regarding the quality of ghee available
in the wholesale and retail markets of Calcutta.
Ghee means clarified butterfat prepared exclusively from pure milk fat of the
cow or buffalo, or both. The legal definition, therefore, does not permit the ad-
mixture of fat available from any other source. It may be noted that it is in the
mixed form that ghee is usually brought to the market and that practically the
whole of the inter-provincial trade is in mixed ghee. Calcutta is not a ghee producing
centre, but it is one of the biggest consuming centres in India. There is at present
only one AGMARK grading laboratory and consequently the majority of trade is
in ungraded ghee.
At present the purity of ghee is ascertained by three main tests, viz. (a) B. R.
reading, (b) R. M. value and (c) Villevecchia (or Boudouin) test for sesame oil present
in hydrogenated oil. The supplementary tests, e.g. Kirschner value, Polenske
value, Saponification value and Phytosteryl acetate test, etc., are applied only
TABLE I(A)
Specifications for Agmark ghee
Grade
Special
grade
(red label)
General grade
Moisture
per cent
Not more
than 0.5
„
B. R.
reading
at 40°C.
40.5-42.f)
„
P. C. of
F. F. A.
Not more
than 1.5
Not more
than 2.5
R. M.
value
Not
less
than 28
„
Polenske
value
1.0-2.0
„
Remarks
Should be
free from
hydro¬
genated oil
as
indi-
cated
by
Villevecchia
and P. A.
tests.
59
14
60 STUDIES ON THE QUALITY OF ghee
[Vol. XXIII, Part I,
in case the genuineness of a sample is in doubt. The Imperial (now Indian) Council
of Agricultural Research have laid down the specifications mentioned in Table I(A),
and these are scrupulously followed under the AGMARK scheme.
It has been found that the chemical and physical constants of ghee vary greatly
and depend upon the breed, feed and environment of cattle, and also upon the method
of preparation and storage. Many analysts have noticed that samples of genuine
ghee are often met with which do not give figures within the limits and it is necessary
to exercise judgement before reporting any sample of ghee as adulterated on the
basis of the three main tests only. Consequently, in the Uttar Pradesh, Madhya
Pradesh, Bihar, Orissa and Bengal separate B. R. and R. M. value standards have
been prescribed for local ghee only. As a result of representations from different
regions of India, the Central Agricultural Marketing Department also was con-
vinced that the B. R. and R. M. values of ghee actually depended upon the breed
feed, etc., of cattle and agreed to allow special regional standards for Kathiawar
M. P. and Ajmer-Merwara, Table I (C).
TABLE I(B)
Bengal Government specifications of ghee
Ghee
Cow and buffalo
mixed
Cow
Buffalo
B. R. reading at 40°C
40.5-42.5
„
„
R. M. value
Not
less
than 28
Not
less
than 24
Not
less
than 30
Remarks
Should
be
free from
hydrogena¬
ted oil as
indicated
by Villeve¬
chia and P.
A. tests.
TABLE I(C)
Special regional standards for ghee
Region
1. Kathiawar
(August-Dec-
ember)
(December-
April)
(April-August)
2. M. P. .
3. Ajmer-Mer-
wara
Moisture
per cent
Not more
than 0.5
„
„
„
„
B. R. reading
at 40°C
43.0-44.0
43.0-44.5
44.0-45.0
42.Q-44.5
42.5-44.0
P. C. of
F. F. A.
Not more
than 1.5
„
„
„
„
R. M. value
Not
less
than 23
Not
less
than 19
Not
less
than 17
Not
less
than 20
Not
less
than 22
Polenske
value
0.75-1.5
0.5-1.0
0.5-1.0
0.5-1.5
0.5-1.5
Remarks
Should
be
free from
hydrogenat¬
ed oil as
indicated by
Villevecchia
and P. A.
tests.
Quality of ghee collected from the wholesale markets
In an endeavour to ascertain the present quality of ghee the wholesale markets
of Calcutta, the authors have analysed a large number of representative samples
March, 1953]
M. P. GUHA AND MANISHI PROSAD GUHA .61
of raw ghee collected from sealed tins available in the wholesale markets and com-
pared the results with those obtained in pre-war days. For the present investigation
the authors have followed the standard methods of analysis laid down by the
Imperial (now Indian) Council of Agricultural Research.
TABLE II
Quantity of ghee annually marketed in India in comparison to the quantity annually
graded under the Agmark Grading Scheme
Province or State
Assam
Bengal (undivided)
Bihar
Bombay
M. P.
Madras
Orissa
Punjab (undivided)
U.P.
Baroda
Gujerat
Gwalior
Mysore
Nizam's Dominions
Quantity
of ghee
produced
in 1940
(in thousand
md.)
45
569
759
511
467
1367
95
2206
1938
228
76
581
154
375
Position of grading
in 1938
Number
of
packers
..
2
..
1
..
..
..
2
5
..
..
..
..
..
Quantity
graded
(in thousand
md.)
..
3.1
..
0.5
..
..
..
1.8
17.5
..
..
..
..
..
Position of grading
in 1944
Number
of
packers
..
1
4
1
6
..
..
5
33
1
..
2
..
..
Quantity
graded
(in thousand
md.)
..
negligible
15.6
16.5
4.2
..
..
7.9
82.3
130.4
..
negligible
..
..
14A
62 STUDIES ON THE QUALITY OF ghee
[Vol. XXIII, Part I,
TABLE III (A)
Uttar Pradesh ghee (1938-39)
Serial
number
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
Source
Khurja
„
„
„
„
„
Hathres
„
„
„
„
Aligarh
„
„
„
„
„
Shikohabad
„
„
„
„
Etawah
„
„
Bharthana
„
„
Sirsaganj
„
Number of
tins
(18 sr. each)
110
200
389
251
207
316
65
115
42
551
115
70
33
580
91
173
55
37
36
66
47
66
53
76
76
100
100
97
61
45
B.R.
reading
41.4
41.7
42.0
42.2
42.2
42.2
41.1
41.0
41.0
41.4
42.0
41.2
41.1
41.6
42.0
41.6
42.0
41.0
40.6
41.6
41.5
41.5
41.0
41.1
41.6
41.6
41.8
42.3
41.2
41.6
P.C. of
F.F.A.
0.73
0.73
0.74
0.73
0.73
0.73
0.74
0.70
0.75
0.71
0.71
0.70
0.70
0.72
0.74
0.73
0.71
0.79
0.87
0.70
0.71
0.68
0.70
0.75
3.50
0.96
1.00
1.40
1.00
0.81
R.M.
value
32.0
30.5
30.5
30.4
30.2
31.0
34.6
32.8
32.9
32.0
31.5
32.3
32.2
32.2
30.8
32.2
31.3
34.2
34.3
32.2
32.8
31.4
33.2
31.5
31.7
32.7
33.2
31.1
35.7
31.3
Remarks
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S S
S
S
S
S
S
S = Special grade
B = Bengal Government specification
(Results of only 30 samples selected at random are given here)
March, 1953]
M. P. GUHA AND MANISHI PROSAD GUHA
63
TABLE III (B)
Uttar Pradesh ghee (1950)
Serial
number
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
Source
Etah
„
„
„
„
„
„
„
„
„
„
„
„
„
„
„
„
„
„
„
„
„
„
„
„
„
„
„
„
„
Number of
tins
(18 sr. each)
109
109
109
109
109
109
109
109
109
108
109
109
109
109
109
109
109
109
109
109
77
109
96
101
93
100
81
70
52
76
B.R.
reading
40.9
40.85
40.9
41.0
41.1
40.9
41.8
40.9
41.0
41.1
41.2
42.1
41.3
41.3
41.3
41.2
41.3
41.15
41.9
42.3
42.25
41.4
41.45
41.7
41.7
42.4
41.5
42.2
42.2
42.1
P.C.
of
F.F.A.
1.18
1.18
1.1
1.07
1.15
0.9
0.8
1.12
1.12
1.23
0.98
0.91
0.99
1.04
1.12
1.04
1.12
1.07
0.9
1.97
2.03
1.21
1.2
1.42
1.42
1.01
1.69
1.63
1.69
1.74
R.M.
value
33.22
33.33
33.44
33.66
33.33
33.33
28.5
33.22
32.45
32.23
32.33
28.6
32.78
32.23
32.12
33.11
32.23
33.00
28.8
29.13
29.04
31.9
31.2
30.25
30.25
28.2
30.08
29.04
29.26
29.7
Villevecchia
test
Positive
Positive
Positive
Positive
Remarks
S
S
S
S
S
S
X
S
S
S
S
X
S
S
S
S
S
S
X
G
G
S
S
S
S
X
G
G
G
G
S = Special grade
G = General grade
B = Bengal Government specification
X = Rejected
64
STUDIES ON THE QUALITY OF ghee
[Vol. XXIII, Part I,
TABLE IV (A)
Guntur ghee (1937-38)
Serial
number
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
Number of tins
534
899
415
843
440
443
437
769
443
442
600
974
974
500
500
439
148
148
281
281
239
60
441
927
437
436
B.R. reading
42.8
42.8
42.6
42.4
42.5
42.7
42.6
42.3
42.9
42.85
43.0
43.2
43.3
43.2
43.2
43.4
43.5
43.2
43.4
43.4
43.1
43.2
43.65
43.5
43.9
43.4
43.7
43.85
43.4
.43.3
43.25
43.1
43.0
43.1
43.1
43.0
P.C. of F.F.A.
2.45
1.3
1.4
4.5
2.7
1.2
1.6
2.35
1.7
1.14
R.M. value
25.9
24.47
26.5
27.0
26.6
24.53
26.18
27.39
25.79
26.01
25.13
25.52
24.25
25.68
26.40
24.86
24.68
26.62
24.64
24.36
24.36
23.32
25.41
26.07
21.5
26.56
23.87
24.58
25.63
25.96
25.64
26.62
26.12
25.02
25.96
25.46
Remarks
GS
GS
GS
GS
GS
GS
GS
GS
GS
GS
GS
GS
GS
GS
GS
GS
GS
GS
GS
GS
GS
X
X
GS
X
GS
X
X
GS
GS
GS
GS
GS
GS
GS
GS
G S = India Government specification
B R= 40.5 to 43.5
R.M. value = Not less than 24
March, 1953]
M.
P.
GUHA
AND
MANISHI
PROSAD
GUHA
65
TABLE IV (B)
Guntur ghee (1943)
Serial
number
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
Weight
Tons
9
8
6
5
5
8
9
7
5
6
6
9
7
6
9
9
9
10
4
4
9
8
8
8
4
9
11
4
5
4
lb.
1382
1110
1529
320
1076
440
1912
1153
56
1545
1246
2002
441
1173
1918
1919
2004
1044
1812
1466
1576
349
346
405
1767
1288
1277
2097
634
1807
B.R. reading
43.5
43.7
43.4
42.8
42.7
42.8
42.6
41.8
42.9
42.8
42.1
41.8
41.4
42.8
42.7
43.0
42.7
42.2
43.4
42.8
42.6
43.2
42.5
43.0
42.8
42.8
42.5
41.8
43.3
43.2
P.C. of F.F.A.
2.56
3.43
4.2
2.65
2.3
3.27
2.48
2.54
2.3
1.8
4.1
3.4
2.6
1.97
2.08
2.48
2.08
3.89
2.4
2.65
3.55
4.31
3.95
3.6
2.26
2.5
2.6
2.48
5.9
2.8
R.M. value
21.08
23.81
23.2
25.7
25.4
24.2
24.7
22.2
23.9
22.4
23.7
27.7
24.1
24.4
25.3
24.9
25.3
26.07
23.3
23.3
24.86
24.2
26.29
23.65
22.8
22.2
25.7
25.4
26.3
23.4
Remarks
X
X
X
G S
G S
G S
G S
X
X
X
X
G S
G S
G S
G S
G S
G S
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
G S
G S
X
X
G S = B R. = 40.5 to 43.5
R.M. = Not less than 24
P.C. of F.F.A. = Not more than 3.5
66
STUDIES ON THE QUALITY OF glee
[Vol. XXIII, Part I,
TABLE IV (C)
Guntur ghee (1949-50)
Serial
number
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
Number of tins
512
238
419
278
537
511
252
391
253
563
100
692
982
481
248
234
512
859
525
481
480
450
575
710
745
175
565
500
182
154
B.R. reading
41.8
41.2
41.0
42.1
41.3
42.2
41.5
42.0
41.8
42.5
42.7
42.0
41.9
42.1
42.0
42.0
42.0
41.9
41.6
42.5
42.1
41.6
41.9
41.8
41.8
42.1
41.7
41.6
41.6
42.0
R.M. value
28.5
28.7
28.9
25.1
27.9
24.6
29.1
26.0
29.0
27.4
27.1
28.1
291
26.6
28.2
27.0
25.7
27.0
29.1
28.0
28.4
29.7
29.1
29.4
29.5
28.9
28.5
28.2
28.3
29.3
Remarks
G
G
G
B
B
B
G
B
G
B
X
G
G
B
G
B
B
B
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
G
March, 1953]
M. P.
GUHA
AND
MANISHI
PROSAD
GUHA
67
TABLE V (A)
Ghee of unknown source (1937-38)
Serial
number
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
Number of tins
65
05
50
57
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
50
40
18
29
70
B.R. reading
41.4
41.3
40.9
40.7
41.4
40.7
40.7
41.3
41.5
40.3
40.8
40.8
40.5
40.8
40.9
40.9
42.4
41.9
41.8
40.5
40.0
41.3
42.4
42.5
42.3
41.75
41.7
41.4
42.5
42.2
P.C. of F.F.A.
4.06
3.68
0.93
2.50
0.87
2.30
0.87
0.80
2.08
0.80
0.69
0.99
1.50
1.30
3.89
0.78
0.42
0.79
0.61
0.96
0.78
0.72
0.42
0.82
0.69
1.06
0.69
0.60
0.55
0.57
R.M. value
27.2
31.6
29.1
29.04
29.4
29.1
34.4
31.9
28.98
35.6
33.05
31.0
32.01
30.6
28.7
34.27
30.3
32.39
31.95
30.52
34.04
33.93
29.81
28.54
30.25
31.79
32.83
33.44
30.41
30.02
Remarks
B
B
S
G
S
G
S
S
G
S
S
S
S
S
B
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
S
15
68 STUDIES ON THE QUALITY OF ghee
[Vol. XXIII, Part I,
TABLE V (B)
Ghee of unknown source (1949-50)
Serial
number
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
Number
of tins
350
411
443
348
451
500
61
10
600
300
300
448
111
506
400
70
900
612
175
154
300
538
419
378
..
..
..
..
..
..
B.R.
reading
42.7
42.2
42.6
41.7
41.3
41.3
42.7
42.1
41.9
40.9
41.8
43.3
42.5
42.7
42.4
41.5
41.8
42.2
42.1
42.0
42.0
43.0
43.0
42.1
42.7
42.8
42.5
42.5
41.4
41.5
P. C. of
F. F. A.
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
..
2.34
2.48
1.89
2.34
6.03
0.93
1.38
1.35
1.41
1.40
R. M. value
28.0
27.2
28.3
30.0
26.0
27.8
24.5
24.0
29.8
31.1
26.7
22.4
24.4
26.4
26.9
28.5
27.0
27.3
28.9
29.3
28.16
27.39
23.1
28.16
25.41
23.43
29.04
29.04
32.3
28.3
Villevecchia
test
Positive
Positive
Positive
Positive
Positive
Positive
„
Positive
„
Remarks
X
B
X
G
B
B
X
B
G
G
B
X
B
X
B
G
B
B
G
G
G
X
X
G
X
X
G
S
S
S
March, 1953]
M.
P.
GUHA
AND
MANISHI
PROSAD
GUHA
69
TABLE VI
Results of analysis of the samples of ghee collected at random from the retail markets
of Calcutta (1950)
Serial
No.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
Name of the
market
Baghbazar
Baghbazar
Shambazar
Shambazar
Hatibagan
Hatibagan
Chhatubabus
Bazar
Chhatubabus
Bazar
Nutanbazar
Nutanbazar
Manicktolla
Manicktolla
College St.
College St.
Baithakkhana
Baithakkhana
Bowbazar
Bowbazar
Entally
Jagu Babu's
Bazar
Jagu Babu's
Bazar
Lansdowne
Lansdowne
Lake
Lake
Price in
Rs./Sr.
5 8 0
9 0 0
6 0 0
5 0 0
5 8 0
6 0 0
4 0 0
4 8 0
4 0 0
4 0 0
5 0 0
5 0 0
7 8 0
5 0 0
7 0 0
5 0 0
7 0 0
7 0 0
7 0 0
6 0 0
6 8 0
7 0 0
5 0 0
7 0 0
6 0 0
B. R.
Reading
51.0
49.3
43.0
49.2
46.2
42.1
50.6
41.5
49.0
49.5
42.3
50.4
44.6
49.5
42.1
50.0
40.5
44.4
51.3
43.0
42.1
42.3
40.8
41.8
50.0
P. C. of
F. F. A.
0.3
1.3
2.0
1.4
1.32
1.46
0.65
5.56
1.5
1.3
2.08
0.47
3.8
0.31
2.42
1.49
2.12
1.55
0.46
3.69
2.36
2.45
3.66
11.6
0.76
R.M.
value
..
..
..
..
.. 33.77
..
..
..
.. 30.36
.. 20.79
0.0
18.92
0.5
30.36
15.18
..
..
29.04
32.8
..
..
..
Villevecchia
test
Positive
„
„ „
„
Negative
Positive
..
„
„
Negative
Positive
„
„
„
„ Negative
Positive
„
„
Negative
„
..
.. Positive
Remarks
Hydrogenated oil
„
Adulterated
H. oil
Adulterated
Acceptable (S)
H.oil
Rancid
H.oil
„
Acceptable (G)
H.oil
Adulterated
H. oil
Adulterated
H.oil
Acceptable (G)
Adulterated
H.oil
Adulterated
Acceptable (G)
„
Rancid
„
H.oil
TABLE VII
Summary of the results of analysis
Source of ghee
Period
when
collected
Sealed
tins or
open tins
P. C.
passing
special
grade
P. C.
passing
general
grade
P. C.
passing
India. Govt.
specifica-
tions
P. C.
passing
Beng. Govt.
specifica-
tions
P. C.
rejected
due to
adulteration
rancidity
etc.
Samples of ghee collected from wholesale market
U. P.
Guntur
Unknown
Unknown
1938.39
1950
1937-38
1943
1949-50
1937-38
1949-50
1950
Sealed tins
„
„
„
„
„
„
96.7
66.6
80
10
..
20
..
..
66.6
10
30
..
..
86
40
..
..
..
Samples of ghee collected from retail market
Open tins 4
16
..
3.3
..
..
..
30
10
30
..
..
13.4
14
60
3.3
..
30
80
The results detailed in Table III to V and summarised in Table VII show that
ghee now available in the wholesale markets may be classified as (a) U. P. ghee,
(b) Guntur ghee and (c) ghee of unknown source. So far as quality is concerned,
16
March, 1953]
M.
P.
GUHA
AND
MANISHI
PROSAD
GUHA
71
It is, therefore, suggested that all hydrogenated oils should be compulsorily made
to contain a colouring matter so that when the coloured vegetable product is mixed
with ghee will be detected even by a layman by visual observation only. This measure
will no doubt greatly minimise the scope of adulteration of ghee with hydrogenated
oil by the petty retail dealers.
In Bengal, no particular attention is paid either to moisture content or acid
value of a sample of ghee. Consequently, it is found that in a number of cases
the acid value, an important factor for judging the age and quality of ghee, is found
to be very high. Bad odour, generally inherent with acidity and rancidity was,
however, not very remarkable in any of these samples. The odour was in all pro-
bability carefully masked by blending with fresh ghee or by adding a small quantity
of the essence of ghee, available in the market. Samples having acid values as
high as 11.6 and 5.56 are thus easily sold to the common man, and in Bengal there
is at present no provision in the law to check this undesirable practice.
Considering these facts the authors recommend the following measures to be
adopted for minimising the scope of adulteration of ghee :—
The AGMARK grading scheme should be made popular as far as possible.
Since the regional standards of ghee are definitely known, adequate
arrangements should be made to control the quality of ghee at the
point of production.
At present there are some discrepancies between the specifications adopted
under the AGMARK scheme and the specifications of the different
provincial governments. All provinces coming under any particular
region, mentioned above, should adopt the regional standard for
uniformity. Acid value, Villevecchia test, P. A. test, etc., also should
be taken into consideration.
The present arrangement of adding five per cent sesame oil to all kinds of
hydrogenated oils sold in India should be continued.
All hydrogenated oils sold in India should be compulsorily made to contain
a colouring matter imparting a rose or orange shade so that when such
a coloured vegetable product is mixed with ghee it will be detected
by a layman by visual observation only.
For the benefit of the small consumers arrangements should be made to sell
ghee in smaller packings as well, say in one pound tins, under the
AGMARK seal so that people may get pure stuff even in smaller
quantity. In that case people will be less tempted to purchase ghee
of uncertain quality available in open tins in the retail markets.
Persons found guilty of dealing in adulterated ghee or hydrogenated oil free
from sesame oil or the colouring matter, or both, or found guilty of
removing sesame oil or the colouring matter from hydrogenated oil
by chemical methods should be given deterrent punishments in the
form of heavy fine and imprisonment.
72
STUDIES
ON
THE
QUALITY OF Ghee [Vol. XXIII, Part I,
The measures so adopted should be given wider publicity so that the public
may appreciate them and may guard themselves against being deceived.
SUMMARY
Results of analysis of a number samples of ghee collected at random from the
wholesale markets of Calcutta before and after the war, have been discussed.
The samples so examined have been classified as (a) Uttar Pradesh ghee,
(b) Guntur ghee and (c) ghee from unknown source.
So far as quality is concerned, Uttar Pradesh ghee is valued as the best
available in market, and fetches the maximum price. The quality has, however,
deteriorated after the war.
Results of analysis of a number of samples collected at random from the
retail shops of Calcutta have also been discussed.
Out of 25 samples so examined only five have been found to conform to
AGMARK specifications and the rest were rejected due to adulteration, rancidity,
etc. The quality of such ghee is far worse than that of ghee in the wholesale
market.
The authors have recommended a few important measures to be adopted for
minimising the scope of adulteration.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The author's best thanks are due to Dr R. Chatterjee, Professor of Chemistry,
Presidency College, Calcutta, for his kind interest in this investigation. The authors
are also indebted to Sri B. B. Rakshit, Director, Sree Ghee Laboratories, Calcutta,
Sri G. N. Ghose, Chemist, Raghubar Dayal Jain & Sons, AGMARK Ghee Grading
Laboratory, Etah, and Sri Pandit, Chemist, Ghee Merchants Association, Calcutta,
for their kind co-operation during the entire course of this work*.
REFERENCES
Doctor, N. S. and Banerjee, B. N. (1939). J. Univ. Bombay, 8, 247
Guha, M. P. and Guha, M. P. (1950). Sci. Cult., 16, 191
Report on the Marketing of ghee and other Milk Products in India
Standard Methods for the Analysis of ghee (1946). Misc. Bull., No. 64
* It is reported that the committee appointed by the Government of India has already
recommended that vanaspati should be made to contain sesame oil and also carotene oil concen-
trate so that the product may have an orange colour.