: Edible oil is oxidized during processing and storage via autoxidation and photosensitized oxidation, in which triplet oxygen (3O2) and singlet oxygen (1O2) react with the oil, respectively. Autoxidation of oils requires radical forms of acylglycerols, whereas photosensitized oxidation does not require lipid radicals since 1O2 reacts directly with double bonds. Lipid hydroperoxides formed by 3O2 are conjugated dienes, whereas 1O2 produces both conjugated and nonconjugated dienes. The hydroperoxides are decomposed to produce off-flavor compounds and the oil quality decreases. Autoxidation of oil is accelerated by the presence of free fatty acids, mono- and diacylglycerols, metals such as iron, and thermally oxidized compounds. Chlorophylls and phenolic compounds decrease the autoxidation of oil in the dark, and carotenoids, tocopherols, and phospholipids demonstrate both antioxidant and prooxidant activity depending on the oil system. In photosensitized oxidation chlorophyll acts as a photosensitizer for the formation of 1O2; however, carotenoids and tocopherols decrease the oxidation through 1O2 quenching. Temperature, light, oxygen concentration, oil processing, and fatty acid composition also affect the oxidative stability of edible oil.

Mechanisms and Factors for Edible Oil Oxidation

Volatile lipid oxidation products.

The volatile compounds formed during autoxidation of linoleic acid and methyl linoleate at 22–24 °C were analysed by high resolution gas chromatography and eluate sniffing. The application of this technique to stepwise diluted extracts of the volatile compounds allowed the determination of a new parameter, theD-value, which reveals the most intense flavour compounds of an extract.

Identification of the most intense volatile flavour compounds formed during autoxidation of linoleic acid

This review discusses the basic chemical reactions that affect food flavor quality. Although there are many reactions that can lead to the deterioration of quality in foods, this review focuses on lipid oxidation and how it adversely affects flavor principles. It also presents technological advances for studying the basic mechanism of lipid oxidation, for measuring its intensity, and for retaining food quality. The food commodities that provide the subject matter for this review include vegetable oils, legumes, cereal grains, eggs, beef, lamb, poultry, seafoods, and catfish. The methodologies for assessing food quality form a multidisciplinary approach that includes primarily instrumental analysis by direct gas chromatography, chemical analysis by the TBA test, and sensory analysis by quantitative descriptive determinations. The author hopes that the information presented in this review is applicable to food commodities not discussed.

Lipid oxidation in foods

Two varieties of peanuts, Runner #1 and Spanish, were roasted at 163°C for 7, 8, and 9 min to produce light, medium, and dark roast samples. Sensory evaluation was conducted with a trained panel using a 9-point hedonic scale to rate strength and desirability of odor and flavor. An analysis of variance performed on panel scores produced a standard deviation of 1.81. Statistically significant differences were found among varieties and roasting conditions. Volatile components were collected on Tenax GC followed by characterization and quantitation by gas chromatography (CC). Statistical analysis was used to correlate sensory and instrumental analysis. Stepwise regression showed good correlation between sensory properties and selected GC peaks. The coefficient of determination for the selected peaks averaged 0.9580. Prediction of strength and flavor quality will be possible using the developed equation y = a + b1 (x1+ b2 (x2).

Influence of roasting time on sensory attributes of fresh roasted peanuts

Samples of commercially processed soybean, cottonseed, and peanut oils were stored under controlled conditions then evaluated for flavor by a 20-member trained, experienced oil panel and for pentanal and hexanal contents by direct gas chromatography. The oils, which contained citric acid and/or antioxidants, were either aged from 0 to 16 days at 60 C or exposed to fluorescent light for 0 to 16 hr. The simple linear regressions of flavor score with the logarithm of pentanal or hexanal content in aged soybean oil gave correlation coefficients of −0.96 and −0.90, respectively; for cottonseed oil, −0.60 and −0.85; and for peanut oil −0.74 and −0.75. Addition of peroxide values to the linear regressions increased the correlation coefficients. Flavor scores of cottonseed and peanut oil can be predicted from pentanal and hexanal contents, but the technique is slightly more reliable for soybean oil based on the treatments used for these oils.

G. E. Goheen

Papers

Flavor Score Correlation with Pentanal and Hexanal Contents of Vegetable Oil

Progress report of subcommittee on nomenclature of the standards committee, AOCS