THIOBARBITURIC ACID TEST FOR DETECTING LIPID PEROXIDES

The thiobarbituric acid (TBA) test has been used in the field of medical science in recent years to detect lipid peroxides. In this case, it is necessary for hydroperoxides to be decomposed to secondary products during the reaction. When purified methyl linoleate and methyl linolenate monohydro-peroxides were used as the sample for the TBA test, they did not decompose entirely to secondary products, but did so completely when an iron catalyst (ferrous sulfate) was added. However, the iron catalyst also accelerated the autoxidation of coexisting unsaturated fatty acids. Therefore, the addition of antioxidants was required. Fifteen min of heating was sufficient to complete the reaction. With additions of catalyst and antioxidant to the TBA test, it may be possible to make useful distinctions between hydroperoxides and secondary products of lipid oxidation. © 1979 American Oil Chemists' Society.