The purpose of the present study was to extend knowledge concerning the effect of rapeseeds pre‐processing methods on the changes in oxidative state, alterations within fatty acids contents, and color of oil. Thermal pre‐treatment of non‐hulled and hulled rapeseeds by microwave radiation (2–10 min, 800 W, 2450 MHz) was studied in comparison with conventional roasting (20–100 min, 165°C). As rapeseeds were thermally pre‐treated, with longer time a significant increase (p < 0.05) in the amounts of total carotenoids, chlorophylls, and phenolics in the oils pressed from microwaved and roasted seeds was found. Oils pressed from hulled seeds (HRO) were characterized by significantly lighter yellow hue than non‐hulled (NHRO) ones; however, the microwaving and roasting time significantly affected color change of both types of oils. Although induction period increased with longer seeds microwaving and roasting, oils pressed from thermally pre‐treated seeds exhibited higher level of primary and secondary oxidation. Additionally, prolonged seeds heating resulted in unsaturated fatty acids degradation as detected by GC‐FID. Based on the results obtained by applying principal component analysis (PCA), it can be concluded that within much shorter rapeseed exposition to microwaves similar compositional changes and degree of oxidation of oils was achieved as during conventional roasting.
Practical applications:Color of edible oil is an important commercial parameter, whereas oxidative stability need to be monitored to ensure high quality of the finished product. Thermal pre‐treatment is currently being used in oilseeds pre‐processing, but very little researches studied its effect on color change and oxidative state of oil. Although rapeseed thermal pre‐treatment can cause a number of positive quality changes, such as an increase of bioactive compounds, the results should be interpreted with caution since application of too harsh heating conditions may result in unsaturated fatty acids degradation, lipid oxidation, or undesirable color change.
Thermal pre‐treatment is currently being used in oilseeds pre‐processing, but very little researches studied its effect on color change and oxidative state of oil. Although rapeseed thermal pre‐treatment can cause a number of positive quality changes, such as an increase of bioactive compounds, the results should be interpreted with caution since application of too harsh heating conditions may result in unsaturated fatty acids degradation, lipid oxidation, or undesirable color change.