For manufacturers, preventing carrier oils’ oxidation is vital to guarantee high-quality raw materials preservation. Poor storage accelerates rancidity, but the use of vitamin E is able to stop this chemical process.
Carrier and essential oils are delicate ingredients. Their biggest problem is oxidation (rancidity), an irreversible chemical process that alters the odor, color, and viscosity, which also affects the natural benefits, giving rise to potentially irritating compounds.
Losing a lot of almond, argan, or rosehip oil due to improper storage represents a huge economic cost and a delay in production. At Just Different People, as wholesale suppliers, we want to advise on how to take care of an investment with this guide to good practices for industrial storage.
Oil’s Three Enemies: Light, Heat and Oxygen
To maintain the stability of lipids, especially those that may contain many polyunsaturated fatty acids (such as rosehip or hemp, which are more fragile), it is recommended to take into account the following factors:
- Oxygen (air): it is the main problem. Every time a container is opened, air enters and reacts with the fatty acids.
- Solution: ensure that containers are always tightly closed when not in use. For very sensitive and high-value oils, some laboratories use nitrogen inerting systems to remove oxygen from the container head.
- Light (photooxidation): UV radiation accelerates degradation.
- Solution: never store oils in transparent containers exposed to natural or intense fluorescent light. At Just Different People, we prioritize the use of opaque metal drums or IBCs with UV protection for large quantities, since these act as a physical barrier.
- Heat: elevated temperatures speed up the chemical reaction.
- Solution: the warehouse must be kept cool and dry. A constant temperature between 15°C and 25°C is appropriate, away from the heat that machinery or radiators can produce.
Natural Antioxidants Function
Even under ideal storage conditions, storage is a race against time. A very effective proactive strategy is the use of natural antioxidants at the raw material reception stage.
The most used is the natural tocopherol (vitamin E). Adding a small proportion (usually between 0.1% and 0.5%) of vitamin E to bulk carrier oil means that oxygen will first react with vitamin E, protecting then the fatty acids in the oil and significantly extending its shelf life without modifying its benefits.
At Just Different People, we believe that the controlled addition of natural antioxidants such as vitamin E in the laboratory helps balance oils against natural processes such as oxidation. Proper warehouse management and correct choice of packaging are as important as the quality of the purchased raw material.