Oils and fats analysis covers a major area in forensic chemistry as these are often adulterated in various ways viz., adulteration of lower grade, different origin (vegetable oil by animal fat or vice-versa) or misbranding or contra banding of products etc., the cases as above may occur frequently as oils and fats are extremely used as cooking media and also in industries like paints, varnishes, pharmaceutical industries. There may be theft cases or illegal possession related to oils and fats. In the above case the samples are frequently sent for their examinations for different purposes under Essential Commodities Act (E.C. Act).

In this study we have synthesized 4-Acetyloxy-3-methoxybenzaldehyde as spray reagent for thin layer chromatography examination of Soyabean oil, Mustard oil, Groundnut oil, Coconut oil, Rapseed oil, Linseed oil, Castor oil, and Almond oil in different solvent system. The spray reagent develops pinkish violet color.