Comparison of methods for determining fatty acid oxidation produced by ultraviolet irradiation

Abstract

Summary The thiobarbituric acid (TBA) reaction for fatty acid oxidation has been compared with Lundberg and Chipault's method for peroxides, the Kreis test for aldehydes, and with the degree of conjugation, using fatty acid esters exposed to ultraviolet light for various periods. The TBA test paralleled the other methods for methyl linolenate and methyl linoleate but was essentially negative for methyl oleate oxidation. The sensitivity of the TBA test for linolenate was 30–80 times that for linoleate at the same peroxide values. The TBA test appears to be a reliable method of estimating the oxidation products of linolenic and linoleic acids in tissues and other biological material.