Use of essential oils as natural antioxidants

Abstract

The aims of this study were to determine and compare the antioxidant effect of essential oils from Thymus vulgaris, Laurus nobilis, Foeniculum vulgare, Eucalyptus globules, Tagetes minuta, Satureja parvifolia and Lippia polystachya in soybean oil. The concentrations of volatile oils in soybean oil were 0.1% and 0.02%. The antioxidant activity was measured by peroxide values. Thymus vulgaris and L. nobilis essential oils exhibited a significant antioxidant activity, followed by F. vulgare and E. globules in a decreasing order. Tagetes minuta, S. parvifolia and L. polystachya had not effect, and their contribution to the stability of soybean oil was negligible.

Keywords

• antioxidant effect
• essential oil
• soybean oil