Degradation of selected nutrients in sunflower oils during long-term storage

Abstract

We investigated the influence of long-term storage (10 months) at an average ambient temperature of 25°C on oxidative stability of sunflower oils (made in Slovakia, Czech Republic, Austria, and Hungary) and their nutrients. Chemical properties were determined and changes in oxidative stability monitored. Oil samples were collected and analysed for the content of tocopherols and β-carotene. Degradation of nutrients depends on chemical composition of oils and storage conditions. It was found that the concentration of both antioxidants decreased in all the samples with the increase in storage time. According to the results, losses of total tocopherols and β-carotene in refined sunflower oils stored in transparent 5-l PET bottles and exposed to daylight at ambient temperature were found to be 52–64% and 63–65%, respectively. The country of origin had no statistically significant impact on the oxidative stability of stored sunflower oils.