Chandigarh, 10 June, 2021 : In one of its initiatives to encourage manufacturing industry in India, CSIR-CSIO, Chandigarh had developed and transferred technology of “Precision Iodine Value Analyzer (PIVA)”, an instrument for the measurement of degree of unsaturation (Iodine Value) in vegetable oils. This indigenous food testing equipment-PIVA was recognized by FSSAI during the World Food Safety Day.
Conventionally, Iodine value is determined using manual titration and few analytical instruments based on automated titration are also available in the market. However, these methods take longer analysis time, are costly and use toxic chemicals. Researchers, at CSIR-CSIO developed a rapid analysis technique, which takes just 3 minutes for analysis of Iodine Value. Also, the cost of analysis per sample was reduced drastically.
The technology had been transferred to M/s Comfax Systems, a Chandigarh based start-up. The technology has applications in Oil extraction units, quality control and assurance labs, food regulatory authorities, soaps and cosmetics, bakeries, meat industry, paint industry, biodiesel analysis and charcoal industry. The technology is also useful in determining adulteration in edible oils and fats
Currently, PIVA has been calibrated and tested for Coconut, Sunflower, Mustard, Palm, Rice Bran, Soyabean, Groundnut, Olive Oil and Ghee. This new development is a part of the ongoing effort to strengthen the food testing capabilities by introducing the quick and advanced Food Testing Kits. This is the newest addition to the approved kits/ equipment approved by FSSAI for rapid food testing.