Oxidative Stability and Quality Assessment of Artisanal Cottonseed Oils from Kossodo, Burkina Faso

International audience Artisanal cottonseed oil is widely consumed in Burkina Faso, yet its hygienic production conditions and product quality remain insufficiently controlled. This study assessed the sanitary conditions of three artisanal production units in the Kossodo industrial area of Ouagadougou and evaluated the main physicochemical indicators of oil quality using Codex Alimentarius and ISO reference methods. A descriptive cross-sectional design was used to examine 18 oil samples collected from the three units at different production times, together with structured inspections of raw material storage, equipment hygiene, workflow organisation, and worker practices. The results showed major shortcomings in storage conditions, cleaning practices, waste management, and personal hygiene, indicating weak application of good hygiene practices. Laboratory analyses showed that moisture and acid values remained within acceptable limits, while peroxide values and residual soap exceeded Codex thresholds in two of the three units, suggesting advanced oxidation and incomplete refining. Sensory evaluation also showed non-compliant appearance and odour in several samples, consistent with inadequate process control. Overall, the study indicates that improved hygiene management, process monitoring, and regulatory oversight could substantially enhance the safety and quality of artisanal cottonseed oil in Burkina Faso.