Oxidative stability of algal oils as affected by their minor components.

Algal oils, namely, arachidonic acid single-cell oil (ARASCO), docosahexaenoic acid single-cell oil (DHASCO), and a single-cell oil rich in both docosahexaenoic acid and docosapentaenoic acid (OMEGA-GOLD oil), were evaluated for their oxidative stability, as such and after stripping of their minor components, in the dark at 60 degrees C and under fluorescent light at 27 degrees C. Several analytical methods were used to assess the oxidative stability of these oils. Oil extracts were also investigated for their scavenging of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical by a spectrophotometric method and by measuring their total phenolic contents. The results indicated that minor oil constituents play a major role in their oxidative stability in the dark as well as under fluorescent light. The stability of the oils was dictated by their fatty acid composition, total tocopherols, and the type of pigment present. DHASCO contained a significant level of natural radical scavengers and phenolic compounds that contributed to its higher stability compared to the ARASCO and OMEGA-GOLD oils. Thus, the importance of minor components in the stability of the oils examined was demonstrated.