Validated Differential Pulse Polarographic Determination of Fatty Acids in Phyllanthus emblica Seed Oil Using Cd(II) Complexation

This study developed and validated a differential pulse polarographic method for the quantitative determination of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids in Phyllanthus emblica seed oil. Fixed oil was extracted by Soxhlet extraction and fatty acids were separated using the Hilditch method. Differential complexation with Cd(II) at a dropping mercury electrode improved resolution of overlapping waves. Saturated fatty acids identified were myristic, palmitic and stearic acids, while linolenic, linoleic and oleic acids constituted the major unsaturated components. Calibration plots showed good linearity with R2 greater than 0.99 and relative standard deviation below 3%. The method provides a simple and cost effective alternative for electroanalytical profiling of fatty acids in medicinal seed oils. The seed oil of Phyllanthus emblica is known to contain bioactive fatty acids; however, electroanalytical profiling of its saponifiable fraction remains underexplored. To develop and validate a differential pulse polarographic (DPP) method for quantitative determination of saturated and unsaturated fatty acids and amino acids from defatted seeds. Fixed oil (22% yield) was extracted using Soxhlet apparatus with petroleum ether (60?80?C). Fatty acids were separated by Hilditch method and analyzed using DCP and DPP techniques at a dropping mercury electrode (DME) with 0.1 M TMAB as supporting electrolyte (pH 4.0 ± 0.2). Differential complexation with Cd(II) (0.01 mM) enhanced wave resolution. Amino acids were analyzed via metal complex formation in ammoniacal buffer. The saturated acids identified were myristic (6.02%), palmitic (2.81%) and stearic acid (9.97%) with E? values of -0.46, -0.56 and -0.63 V vs. SCE respectively. Unsaturated acids included linolenic (11.26%), linoleic (45.42%) and oleic acid (24.50%) with characteristic DPP peaks at -0.08, -0.31 and -0.48 V. Calibration plots showed linearity (R2 > 0.992). Relative standard deviation was below 3%. The developed polarographic method provides a simple, economical and reliable approach for electroanalytical profiling of fatty acids and amino acids from medicinal seed oils.