Question

Identify the analysis that must be performed FIRST to judge 'cleanliness' of spice/herb powders.

• A. Acid-insoluble ash content
• B. Pesticide residue levels
• C. Volatile oil content
• D. Mycotoxin levels

Hint:

The acid-insoluble ash content is a quick and essential test to determine the level of foreign matter in spice/herb powders before performing more specific analyses.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

The first step in judging the cleanliness of spice or herb powders is determining the acid-insoluble ash content. This is a measure of the purity and cleanliness of the powder, as high levels of acid-insoluble ash indicate contamination by dirt, sand, or other foreign materials. This test provides a good indication of the overall cleanliness of the sample before further analyses, such as pesticide residues, volatile oils, or mycotoxins, are performed.
Other analyses, such as testing for pesticide residue levels (option B) or mycotoxins (option D), are important but are typically carried out after assessing the overall cleanliness with the acid-insoluble ash test. Thus, the correct answer is (A) Acid-insoluble ash content.