FORMULATION AND STORAGE STABILITY OF BETA CAROTENE ENRICHED VITAMIN D3 AND OMEGA 3 FORTIFIED COLD PRESSED VIRGIN COCONUT OIL

Objective: The general objective of this study is to formulate beta carotene enriched, vitaminD3 and omega 3 fortified Cold Pressed Virgin Coconut Oil (CPVCO) and to analyze proximate composition and shelf life of beta carotene, vitaminD3 and omega 3 enriched CPVCO. Methods: The CPVCO was prepared out of fresh full fat coconut flakes by cold pressed method. Vitamin D3, beta carotene, Cold Pressed Flax Seed Oil (CPFSO) and orange oil were added to CPVCO and carefully homogenized for 15 to 30 minutes. Formulated oil was packed in High Density Poly Ethylene (HDPE) bottles and stored at room temperature. The shelf life study of this oil was carried out for a period of 10 months. Results: The proximate compositions of formulated CPVCO with Vitamin D3, β- carotene and CPFSO with regard to the proportion of fatty acids caprylic acid, myristic acid, steric acid, palmitic acid were all within the recommended standard limits in accordance APCC standard for formulated CPVCO. Whereas, lauric acid and capric acid were found to be slightly differ from APCC standard. However, the comparison of oil was concerned, the original CPVCO was amounting to 88.5% and the remaining were 10% of CPFSO and 1.5% orange oil. In accordance with APCC (Asian and Pacific Coconut Committee), the microbial load and peroxide value of CPVCO were within safe limits up to 10 months. Conclusion: In the present study, it was demonstrated that CPVCO was a suitable medium for producing value added functional oil. Apart from being healthy oil, CPVCO may also be used as a nutraceutical product