Oxidative stability of chia seed oil and flax seed oil and impact of rosemary ( Rosmarinus officinalis L.) and garlic ( Allium cepa L.) extracts on the prevention of lipid oxidation

Chia seed and flax seed oils are rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids, but are susceptible to oxidative deterioration. The aim of this study was to determine the oxidative stability of chia seed and flax seed oils and enhance the stability using rosemary or garlic extracts. During accelerated storage at 65 °C for 14 days, the antioxidant abilities of rosemary or garlic extracts were evaluated and compared with those of butylated hydroxy toluene, ascorbyl palmitate, and α-tocopherol using peroxide value, conjugated dienoic acids, free fatty acid, thiobarbituric acid value analysis. The profile of volatiles, fatty acid composition, and the tocopherol contents in the treated and/or untreated oils were also determined. Active ingredients of rosemary and garlic extracts were also determined. Rosemary extract was found to provide higher oxidative stability than garlic extract after 14 days in most assays (e.g., the CDA values of 4.8% for rosemary extract and 5.2% for garlic extract in chia seed oil). The contents of γ-tocopherol, linoleic acid, and α-linolenic acid were well retained in the functional oils treated with the two extracts. After accelerated storage, the content of the major odor-active volatiles varied based on the type of oil. Our findings show the potential of natural aromatic plant extracts with respect to improving the oxidative stability of functional oils.