Factors affecting the stability of crude oils of 16 varieties of peanuts

Abstract

Summary The relation between fatty acid compositions, tocopherol contents, and autoxidative stabilities of a series of 16 crude oils from different varieties of peanuts has been investigated. It was found that the relative linoleic acid content of the oils is one of the major factors affecting the variations in the stabilities of the oils tested. With the exception of the oils from Runner peanuts the tocopherol compositions of the oils were not found to vary significantly, either in the nature and distribution of individual tocopherols, or in total tocopherol contents. The enhanced stability of the oils from the Runner peanuts may be due in part to the higher tocopherol contents of these oils. There is some evidence that crude peanut oils contain some non‐tocopherol antioxidant and/or synergist.