Abstract:
Effect of tocols, β-carotene, and chlorophyll on photo-oxidative stability of red palm oil
(RPO) were studied. Model systems of triacylglycerols+tocols, triacylglycerols+β-carotene, triacylglycerols
+tocols+β-carotene, and triacylglycerols+tocols+β-carotene+chlorophyll were exposed to fluorescent
light at intensities of 5,000, 10,000, and 15,000 lux for 7 h at 30±2oC. Changes in concentrations of
tocopherols, tocotrienols, β-carotene, chlorophyll, and peroxide values were evaluated every hour.
Light intensity accelerated degradation of tocols in the triacylglycerols+tocols system and β-carotene in
the triacylglycerols+β-carotene system. Gamma-tocotrienol showed the highest degradation rate and
β-carotene was the most sensitive compound to changes in light intensity, indicated by the lowest light
intensity coefficient (zi) value. The presence of tocols and β-carotene together showed protective
effects for the photo-oxidative stability of RPO. The presence of chlorophyll increased the rate of
photo-oxidation at high light intensities. Interactions between tocols and β-carotene contributed to the
photo-oxidative stability of RPO.
