Effect of Oliveria decumbens essential oil (ODEO) on improving the oxidative stability of pomegranate seed oil (PSO) was evaluated. Its efficiency was compared with that of thymol, α‐tocopherol, gallic acid, quercetin, and butylated hydroxytoluene. The results indicated that PSO samples that contained ODEO, thymol, α‐tocopherol, gallic acid, quercetin, and butylated hydroxytoluene had lower peroxide values (PVs) and p‐anisidine values (AVs) than the control sample. The induction periods of ODEO (9.00 hr), thymol (8.16 hr), α‐tocopherol (5.41 hr), gallic acid (8.40 hr), quercetin (5.55 hr), and butylated hydroxytoluene (11.08 hr) samples were significantly higher than that of the control sample (4.36 hr). Also, the ODEO sample exhibited higher values of protection factor (PF), antioxidant activity (AA), and improved oxidative stability (IOS) than PSO samples incorporated with other antioxidants other than butylated hydroxytoluene. The results suggest that ODEO can enhance the oxidative stability of PSO.
Novelty impact statement
Pomegranate seed oil (PSO), with high amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), is prone to lipid oxidation. This study aimed to the antioxidant efficiency of Oliveria decumbens essential oil (ODEO) in PSO compared with other antioxidant compounds. ODEO exhibited higher values of protection factor, antioxidant activity, and improved oxidative stability than PSO samples incorporated with other antioxidants.