Comparative effect of carnosic acid, BHT and α-tocopherol on the stability of squalene under heating and UV irradiation

Squalene is prone to auto-oxidation because it has a high content of unsaturated bonds. The effects of carnosic acid (CA) and two common antioxidants (butylated hydroxytoluene and α-tocopherol) on oxidative stability in squalene at different accelerated conditions (heating and UV irradiation) were compared. The investigation focused on the increase in peroxide and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances. The changes in functional group contents were investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, while the changes in squalene content and impurities situation were monitored by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. The results show that CA was more effective in restraining squalene oxidation under heating, UV-A and UV-B irradiation. The antioxidant activity of CA was stronger than that of α-tocopherol and butylated hydroxytoluene. Squalene supplemented with 0.2 mg/g CA exhibited favorable antioxidant effects and is preferable for effectively avoiding oxidation.

► It is the first time that carnosic acid was appended to squalene as an antioxidant.
► Influences of different accelerated oxidation conditions to squalene were studied.
► The changes in squalene content and impurities situation were monitored by GC–MS.
► The changes in functional group contents of squalene were investigated by FTIR.