Antioxidant activity and mechanism of action of butein in linoleic acid

A kinetic analysis was performed to evaluate the antioxidant behaviour of butein in linoleic acid. The process was performed at high (kinetic regime) oxygen concentrations at 40 degrees C in the dark. Different kinetic parameters were determined, including the stabilization factor as a measure of effectiveness, the oxidation rate ratio as a measure of strength, the antioxidant activity that combines these two parameters, and the mean rate of inhibitor consumption. It was established that the effectiveness and strength of the equal percentage, and not molar concentration of butein was in part lower than butylated hydroxytoluene. Butein participated in one side reaction of chain propagation (with hydroperoxides). The radicals of butein at concentrations less than 0.10% did not participate in reactions of chain propagation but participated in more than one reaction of chain propagation (with linoleic acid) at concentrations more than 0.10%. (c) 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.