Argan Oil Specifications Explained, Parameter by Parameter
A good specification separates three questions: is it argan oil, is it fresh, and is it safe? This reference sets out the published ranges for each group so you can build — or challenge — a specification sheet.
- By
- ArganOil.us Sourcing Team
- Published
- Reading time
- 3 min
Key takeaways
- Identity parameters (density, refractive index, saponification and iodine values) screen for gross substitution.
- Composition — fatty acids, sterols and tocopherols — is the argan fingerprint used for authenticity.
- Quality parameters (acidity, peroxide value, K270) measure freshness and handling.
- Published ranges are references; your specification should set the limits your application needs.
How an argan oil specification is structured
Most specification sheets group parameters into identity, composition, quality and — where required — contaminants and sensory properties. The reference values below come from the Moroccan standard NM 08.5.090 as compiled in a 2022 review;[1] they apply to both cosmetic and edible virgin argan oil unless noted. For the grades we supply, see our cosmetic argan oil grades and the full argan oil product range.
Identity: physicochemical constants
| Parameter | Reference range |
|---|---|
| Relative density at 20 °C | 0.906 – 0.919 |
| Refractive index at 20 °C | 1.463 – 1.472 |
| Saponification value | 189.0 – 199.1 mg KOH/g |
| Iodine value | 91 – 110 g I₂/100 g |
| Unsaponifiable matter | ≤ 1.1 g/100 g |
Iodine value measures unsaturation: argan oil sits above olive oil and below sunflower and soybean oils, which is one reason oxidation control matters.[1] A published supplier specification quotes a refractive index of about 1.471 and relative density of about 0.915 at 20 °C, inside these ranges.[2]
Composition: the argan fingerprint
| Fatty acid | Reference range |
|---|---|
| Oleic (C18:1) | 43.0 – 49.1 |
| Linoleic (C18:2) | 29.3 – 36.0 |
| Palmitic (C16:0) | 11.5 – 15.0 |
| Stearic (C18:0) | 4.3 – 7.2 |
| Linolenic (C18:3) | ≤ 0.3 |
| Total saturated | 15.8 – 23.1 |
| Component | Reference value |
|---|---|
| Schottenol (% of sterols) | 44 – 49 |
| Spinasterol (% of sterols) | 34 – 44 |
| Δ7-Avenasterol (% of sterols) | 4 – 7 |
| Stigmasta-8,22-dien-3β-ol (% of sterols) | 3.2 – 5.7 |
| Campesterol (% of sterols) | ≤ 0.4 |
| Total sterols | ≤ 220 mg/100 g |
| Total tocopherols | 60 – 90 mg/100 g |
| γ-Tocopherol (% of tocopherols) | 81 – 92 |
Schottenol and spinasterol dominate the sterol fraction and are why sterols act as a fingerprint for argan oil; low linolenic acid and trace campesterol make blending with soybean, rapeseed or sunflower oil detectable.[1] If authenticity is a risk for your brand, put fatty acids and sterols on the specification rather than only on an occasional audit — see how to qualify an argan oil supplier.
Quality: acidity and oxidation
| Parameter | Extra-virgin reference |
|---|---|
| Free acidity | < 0.8 g/100 g |
| Peroxide value | < 15 mEq O₂/kg |
| K270 | ≤ 0.25 |
| K232 | Not set in the standard (≤ 2.52 proposed) |
Deodorized and refined grades behave differently: refining lowers free fatty acids but raises K270 and reduces tocopherols, so a virgin-oil limit may not suit them.[3] Set grade-specific limits — see virgin vs deodorized argan oil. How these values appear on an actual lot certificate is covered in how to read an argan oil COA.
Setting limits for your application
- Start from the reference ranges above for identity and composition.
- Choose a quality grade (e.g. extra virgin) and tighten acidity and peroxide limits if the oil will be stored long or used in leave-on products.
- Add contaminant limits your market requires (heavy metals, pesticides, PAHs, microbiology).
- Add sensory limits — colour and odour — especially for fragrance-sensitive formulas.
- Name one test method per parameter and agree it with the supplier.
Request our specification sheet for the grade you are evaluating, or ask for a bulk-representative sample to test against your draft limits.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the typical fatty-acid profile of argan oil?
- Reference ranges from the Moroccan standard are oleic 43.0–49.1, linoleic 29.3–36.0, palmitic 11.5–15.0 and stearic 4.3–7.2 g/100 g, with linolenic at or below 0.3. Lot results are stated on the COA.
- Which parameters prove argan oil is authentic?
- No single value does. Laboratories combine fatty-acid composition (especially low linolenic acid) with the sterol profile — high schottenol and spinasterol, trace campesterol.
Sources
Figures in this article come from the sources below, checked on September 30, 2026. Supplier listings are cited as evidence of market practice only.
- Argan Oil: Chemical Composition, Extraction Process, and Quality Control (Gharby & Charrouf, Frontiers in Nutrition, 2022) — Frontiers in Nutrition.
- Product specification Sp213025c — Argan oil cold pressed toasted — Heess GmbH (published supplier specification).
- Effects of physical refining process on quality and stability of argan oil (Asbbane et al., Scientific Reports, 2024) — Scientific Reports (Nature Portfolio).
Prepared by the ArganOil.us Sourcing Team. General information for B2B buyers — not legal, regulatory or customs advice. ArganOil.us terms (grades, formats, minimums, lead times) are confirmed with each quotation.