Impact of lipid physical state on the oxidation of methyl linolenate in oil-in-water emulsions

The purpose of this research was to examine the influence of the physical state of lipids on iron-promoted oxidation of methyl linolenate in octadecane oil-in-water emulsions. Octadecane and methyl linolenate oil-in-water emulsions were prepared that contained droplets having the octadecane as either liquid or solid. The physical state of the octadecane was confirmed by a differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). The effect of the physical state of the lipid on oxidation rates was determined as a function of iron concentration (80 and 160 mu M), pH (3.0 or 7.0), emulsifier type, and cooling rate. Oxidation of methyl linolenate was determined by lipid hydroperoxides and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). Emulsions containing solid octaclecane had higher rates of lipid hydroperoxide and TBARS formation than those containing liquid octaclecane. The rate at which the emulsions were cooled had no influence on oxidation rates. Oxidation rates in both emulsions increased with increasing iron concentration and decreasing pH. Oxidation rates were lowest in emulsions with cationic droplet membranes (dodecyl trimethylammonium bromide-stabilized), presumably due to the repulsion of iron from the oxidizable methyl linolenate in the emulsion droplet core. These results suggest that upon crystallization of octadecane, the liquid methyl linolenate migrated to the emulsion droplet surface, where it was more prone to oxidation because it was in closer contact with the iron ions in the aqueous phase.