RAPID, SENSITIVE, AND SPECIFIC THIOBARBITURIC ACID METHOD FOR MEASURING LIPID-PEROXIDATION IN ANIMAL TISSUE, FOOD, AND FEEDSTUFF SAMPLES

A rapid aqueous acid extraction thiobarbituric acid method for measuring malondialdehyde as a marker of lipid peroxidation in animal tissue, food, and feedstuff samples has been developed. Sample is homogenized with aqueous trichloroacetic acid in the presence of hexane and butylated hydroxytoluene, and the homogenate is centrifuged. Following reaction with thiobarbituric acid reagent, malondialdehyde is directly quantified on the basis of the third-derivative absorption spectrum of the pink complex formed. Further purification is not required because the derivative transformation of the conventional analytical band at around 532 nm virtually eliminates spectral interferences arising from other compounds. The effect of antioxidants and the optimum conditions far the reaction have been established, and the analytical performance of the new method has been evaluated. The applicability of the method on various animal tissue, food, and feedstuff samples has been also tested. Owing to its simplicity and increased sensitivity and specificity, the method may be preferred over other methods for estimating the extent of lipid peroxidation.