The effects of stabilised extracts of sage and oregano on the oxidation of salad dressings

The antioxidative activity of sage and oregano either dissolved in ethanol or homogenised with olive oil as a carrier was evaluated in salad dressings. These samples were stored in the dark at ambient temperature and at 40 degreesC, and with light exposure at ambient temperature. Sage and oregano extracts were encapsulated in liposomes by ultrasonification or microfluidisation, and their structures confirmed by microscopic examination and dye-marker carboxyfluorescein. The antioxidant effect of these preparations was evaluated in salad dressings during storage in the dark at ambient temperature, at 40 degreesC and at 60 degreesC. The oxidation process was followed by measuring the formation of conjugated diene hydroperoxides as primary and hexanal as secondary oxidation products, as well as changes in the compositions of fatty acids and tocopherols. Oregano and sage extracts homogenised with olive oil as a carrier showed higher antioxidative effects than these extracts dissolved in ethanol during storage in the dark at ambient temperature and at 40 degreesC. Exposure of salad dressings to light changed the antioxidative effect of plant extracts into a pro-oxidative effect. The preparation of liposomes by microfluidisation showed higher encapsulation efficiency and more homogeneous vesicles than liposomes prepared by ultrasonification. Sage liposomes prepared by micofluidisation showed high antioxidative effects similar to butylated hydroxytoluene liposomes in salad dressings during storage in the dark at ambient temperature and at 40 degreesC.