Effect of plant extracts on the oxidative stability of sunflower oil and emulsion

The antioxidative activities of six plant extracts (catnip, hyssop, lemon balm, oregano, sage and thyme) were evaluated in sunflower oil and its 20% oil-in-water emulsion in the dark at 60°C. The oxidation process was followed by measuring the formation of primary (conjugated diene hydroperoxides) and secondary (volatile compounds) oxidation products. Sage extracts (600 and 1200 ppm) effectively inhibited the formation of conjugated dienes and volatile compounds (hexanal and pentanal) in oil and emulsion and showed the highest antioxidative activity compared with 300 ppm BHT. Thyme and lemon balm extracts inhibited hexanal generation more than formation of conjugated dienes in both oil and emulsion. Oregano extract was more active in oil than in emulsion. Catnip and hyssop extracts (600 ppm) showed prooxidative action to sunflower oil at 60°C. These two extracts increased the formation of conjugated dienes compared with the control oil. In emulsions, catnip extract (600 ppm) was active and significantly inhibited the formation of conjugated dienes more than BHT (300 ppm) during additional incubation.