Effects of Adsorption on Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbon, Lipid Characteristic, Oxidative Stability, and Free Radical Scavenging Capacity of Sesame Oil

Abstract

Treatment with three adsorbents led to reductions of PAHs in sesame oils, and activated carbons are more effective for removal of PAHs than activated clay under the experimental conditions. Fatty acid, triacylglycerol, and γ‐tocopherol profiles of sesame oils are not significantly influenced by addition of any adsorbents. However, significant differences (P < 0.05) are observed in the contents of other minor components, oxidation stability and free radical scavenging capacity between the crude and treated sesame oils. Polyphenol and phytosterol are good predictors of oxidative stability and antioxidant capacity of sesame oils, due to significant correlations are observed. Although adsorption process may bring disadvantage to sesame oils such as reductions of beneficial constituents related to storage stability, free radical scavenging capacity and other physiological functions, however, to eliminate the contamination of PAHs, treatment with activated carbon during sesame oil purification is highly recommended in order to reduce the risk of consumption and to assure the consumer health. Moreover, these results provide a useful guidance for sesame oil plant to improve the quality of the final oil product. Practical Applications: Results of this study can be applied to sesame oil plants and are transferable to other flavor edible oils for which lower the risk of consumption and bring economic and social advantages to manufacturers to guarantee the oil quality and consumer health.In this work, the contents of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, lipid characteristic, oxidative stability, and free radical scavenging capacity of sesame oil during adsorption process are investigated and compared. Principal component analysis (PCA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) showed apparent distinctions between the crude and treated sesame oils, thus illustrated that adsorption is a double‐edged sword to sesame oils.