ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF OAT EXTRACT IN SOYBEAN AND COTTONSEED OILS

A previously published method for extracting antioxidants from Noble oats with methanol was modified to improve the antioxidant activity. The extract was tested in soybean and cottonseed oils held at 30 and 60 degrees C in the dark and at 30 degrees C in the light. During storage, the peroxide values (PV) of the oils were generally significantly lower (P less than or equal to 0.05) with the addition of the extract than was the control (no additives), and the PV were slightly higher than for oils containing TBHQ. In addition, the extract was added to emulsions of the same oils and held at 30 degrees C in the light and at 60 degrees C in the dark. The PV of the emulsions containing the extract were significantly lower (P less than or equal to 0.05) than were the PV of those containing tertiary butylhydroquinone and the control.