Argan oil, specification and test methods.

Updated 27 July 2026

This page records supplier-specification requirements for virgin argan oil: free acidity, peroxide value, water content and the fatty acid profile. The ISO and COI rows below identify measurement methods. No single limit or method proves purity or detects adulteration on its own.

What this oil is

ItemValueSource
INCI nameArgania Spinosa Kernel OilINCI nomenclature
Number of ingredients1product ingredient list
Composition100 % vegetable oil triglycerides, no hazardous components listedmanufacturer safety data sheet, issued 1 January 2025
Extractioncold pressingcertificate of analysis; traditional cold pressing confirmed at sourcing
Processing after pressingunrefined, first pressconfirmed at sourcing
Physical stateliquid at room temperaturecertificate of analysis
Appearancevery light yellow, clear oily liquidcertificate of analysis
Odourcharacteristicsafety data sheet
Solubility in waterinsolublesafety data sheet
Stabilitystable, keep away from strong oxidising agentssafety data sheet
Storagedry, sealed bottle, below 25 °Csafety data sheet
Volume30 mlAZOURANE
OriginSouss-Massa, MoroccoAZOURANE sourcing record

What gets measured, and the limit

Virgin argan oil is tested on three quality indices, alongside a check of appearance and physical state.

IndexWhat it tells youLimit
Free acidity, expressed as oleic acida supplier-specification requirement expressed as the share of free fatty acidsbelow 1.5 %
Peroxide valuea supplier-specification requirement for primary oxidation productsbelow 15 milliequivalents of active oxygen per kilogram
Water and volatile matterhow much water is left in the oil; water speeds up spoilage0.01 to 1.01 % m/m
Appearancevery light yellow, clear oily liquidconforms or does not conform
Physical stateliquid at room temperatureconforms or does not conform

The limits in this table are supplier-specification requirements, not results from a single batch. The ISO and COI rows below describe measurement methods; they do not set these limits and are not proof of purity or adulteration on their own.

Fatty acid profile

The supplier specification lists ranges for oleic, linoleic and minor fatty acids in virgin argan oil. The profile describes composition requirements; it is not sufficient proof of authenticity on its own.

Fatty acidReference range
Oleic acid43.00 to 50.00 %
Linoleic acid29.30 to 37.00 %
Palmitic acid10.00 to 15.00 %
Stearic acid4.30 to 7.20 %
Arachidic acid0.20 to 0.50 %
Gadoleic acid0.20 to 0.60 %
Palmitoleic acid0.2 % maximum
Pentadecanoic acid0.1 % maximum
Heptadecanoic acid0.1 % maximum
Heptadecenoic acid0.1 % maximum
Linolenic acid0.1 % maximum
Myristic acid0.1 % maximum
Behenic acid0.1 % maximum

These ranges are supplier-specification profile requirements, not results from a single batch or a stand-alone authenticity test.

The standards the analysis runs against

These ISO and COI rows identify measurement methods cited by the documentation. They are not separate purity certificates and do not prove that an oil is unadulterated.

StandardWhat the standard covers
NF EN ISO 660determination of acid value and acidity in animal and vegetable fats and oils
NF EN ISO 662determination of moisture and volatile matter content
NF EN ISO 3656determination of ultraviolet absorbance, expressed as specific UV extinction
NF EN ISO 12966-2preparation of methyl esters of fatty acids for gas chromatography
NF EN ISO 5508analysis of fatty acid methyl esters by gas chromatography
COI/T.20/Doc. No. 19International Olive Council method for spectrophotometric investigation in the ultraviolet

Where the data comes from

  • Composition, physical properties, solubility, stability and storage: the manufacturer safety data sheet for the argan oil, issued 1 January 2025.
  • Limits, appearance, physical state and the reference fatty acid profile: the certificate of analysis for virgin argan oil from our supply, run against the standards listed above.
  • Ingredient name: INCI nomenclature.
  • Extraction, processing, volume and region of origin: the AZOURANE product and sourcing record.

If you need this documentation for professional use, write to hussam@weareazourane.com or call 061 662 581.

Questions and answers

What does cold pressed mean?

Cold pressing means the oil is separated from the kernels by mechanical pressure alone, with no added heat and no solvents. The certificate of analysis records that the sample was produced by the cold pressing method.

Is the oil refined?

The oil is unrefined. It goes from the press into the bottle, with no deodorising, no bleaching and no later processing that would change its colour or its smell.

What is free acidity and why is it measured?

Free acidity expresses the share of free fatty acids as a percentage of oleic acid. The supplier specification for this virgin argan oil sets a requirement below 1.5 %. It is a specification requirement, not stand-alone proof of purity or freshness.

What is peroxide value?

Peroxide value expresses primary oxidation products in milliequivalents of active oxygen per kilogram. The supplier specification sets a requirement below 15. A batch result needs the relevant measurement method; the limit alone does not prove purity.

What are the main fatty acids in argan oil?

Oleic and linoleic acid. Their reference ranges, 43 to 50 % and 29.3 to 37 %, account for most of the profile. The other acids in the table above are present in smaller shares.

What documentation do you hold for this oil?

The manufacturer safety data sheet and a certificate of analysis for virgin argan oil, both held in our records. Alongside them sits a documented single ingredient composition. We hold no organic certification and we do not use the word in our product copy.

How should the oil be stored?

Sealed bottle, dry place, below 25 °C, out of direct sunlight. That is the instruction on the manufacturer safety data sheet.

Where can I see the composition of the other products?

The full INCI list for every product is on the Ingredients and allergens page. Declared allergens product by product are on the Allergens page.

Where is the oil sold?

Online on the product page, with cash on delivery inside Bosnia and Herzegovina. In person at our store in SCC Sarajevo, Vrbanja 1, third floor, every day from 10:00 to 22:00.

Related pages

See the argan oil