Ferulic acid and its esters are known to be effective antioxidants. Feruloyl di-γ-linolenoylglycerol was assessed for its ability to serve as an antioxidant for preventing the oxidation of its γ-linolenoyl polyunsaturated fatty acyl groups in model membrane phospholipid vesicles. The molecule was incorporated into single-lamellar vesicles comprised of 1,2-dioleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine. Feruloyl di-γ-linolenoylglycerol was found to be highly resistant to 2,2′-azobis(2-amidinopropane) dihydrochloride-initiated oxidation in comparison to di-γ-linolenoylglycerol. Analysis of the individual fatty acyl chains indicated that degradation of γ-linolenoyl groups from feruloyl di-γ-linolenoylglycerol proceeded much more slowly than loss of the entire molecule, indicating that the feruloyl moiety was preferentially oxidized. In vesicles incorporating di-γ-linolenoylglycerol and an equal amount (5mol% each) feruloyl dioleoylglycerol, the extent of γ-linolenoyl protection was not as great as when the γ-linolenoyl groups were molecularly combined with a ferulate group. These findings indicate that the ferulate group of feruloyl di-γ-linolenoylglycerol expresses intramolecular antioxidant activity. Direct coupling of polyunsaturated fatty acids with phenolic antioxidants may improve the oxidative stability of sensitive fatty acids in food or topical uses.