Summary
Oleoresin sage (Salvia officinalis) (SAG) (200–1500 mg kg−1), ascorbyl palmitate (AP) (100–300 mg kg−1) and TBHQ (200 mg kg−1) were assessed for delaying the thermo‐oxidation in sunflower oil (SO) during 18 h of frying (180 °C). Electronic nose compared the global aroma fingerprints of potato chips fried in oils. The chemical rancidity indices viz., fatty acids, total polar compounds (TPC), altered triglycerides (dimers, polymers, oxidised monomers, diglycerides), free fatty acids, conjugated dienes and induction periods were monitored along with physical indices viz., viscosity and colour. SOSAG+AP (1309.62 + 270.71 mg kg−1) outperformed SOTBHQ by preserving polyunsaturated fatty acids (60.48% vs. 56.23%), retarding TPCs (28.16% vs. 29.91%), triglyceride dimers (90.24 vs. 95.82 mg g−1) and polymers (25.40 vs. 26.98 mg g−1) concomitantly extending the oil disposal time (basis 25% TPC) (15.9 vs. 14.7 h). The postfrying viscosity, colour values and global aroma fingerprints of fried chips indicate a close match between SOSAG+AP and SOTBHQ.