Evening Primrose Oil
[90028-66-3].
231
:
[90028-66-3].DEFINITION
Evening Primrose Oil is derived from seeds of Oenothera biennis L. The oil is extracted by cold press, where seeds are squeezed at very high pressure. It can be extracted using hexane as the solvent. It is then refined. A suitable antioxidant may be added.
IDENTIFICATION
• A.
It meets the requirements in Specific Tests for Fats and Fixed Oils, Fatty Acid Composition 401.
401.
IMPURITIES
Delete the following:
231:
(Official 1-Dec-2015)
SPECIFIC TESTS
• Fats and Fixed Oils, Acid Value 401:
NMT 1.0
401:
NMT 1.0
• Fats and Fixed Oils, Peroxide Value 401:
NMT 5.0
401:
NMT 5.0
• Fats and Fixed Oils, Unsaponifiable Matter 401:
NMT 2.0%
401:
NMT 2.0%
• Fats and Fixed Oils, Fatty Acid Composition 401:
Evening Primrose Oil exhibits the composition profile of fatty acids in Table 1.
401:
Evening Primrose Oil exhibits the composition profile of fatty acids in Table 1.
Table 1
| Fatty Acid | Shorthand Notation |
Percentage (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Palmitic acid | 16:0 | 4.0–10.0 |
| Stearic acid | 18:0 | 1.0–4.0 |
| Oleic acid | 18:1 | 5.0–12.0 |
 -Linolenic acid |
18:3 | 7.0–14.0 |
| Linoleic acid | 18:2 | 65.0–85.0 |
• Refractive Index 831:
1.477–1.479 at 20
831:
1.477–1.479 at 20
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
• Packaging and Storage:
Preserve in tight containers, preferably under an atmosphere of an inert gas, protected from light.
Auxiliary Information—
Please check for your question in the FAQs before contacting USP.
| Topic/Question | Contact | Expert Committee |
|---|---|---|
| Monograph | Huy T. Dinh, M.S.
Senior Scientific Liaison (301) 816-8594 |
(DS2010) Monographs - Dietary Supplements and Herbal Medicines |
USP38–NF33 Page 6019
Pharmacopeial Forum: Volume No. 40(6)