Exploring the antioxidant potential of nekemias species extracts on edible oils: In vitro assessment and lipid oxidation inhibition.

Synthetic antioxidants have long been used to protect edible oils from oxidation. However, concerns about their potential health risks and environmental impact have led to a growing interest in natural antioxidants. In this study, we explore the antioxidant properties of extracts from four Nekemias plant species: Nekemias grossedentata (AGR), Nekemias megalophylla (AME), Nekemias chaffanjonii (ACH), and Nekemias cantoniensis (ACA) by obtaining the values for different tests. We investigate their bioactive compound content and evaluate their antioxidant capabilities on six edible oils categorized into three lipid systems based on their fatty acid compositions: oleic acid, linoleic acid, and linolenic acid. Our findings demonstrate that AGR and AME extracts, rich in bioactive compounds, exhibit strong antioxidant activities in vitro , effectively inhibiting lipid oxidation, especially in oleic acid-rich oils like camellia oil. The antioxidant effects of these extracts are comparable to synthetic antioxidants such as TBHQ and superior to natural antioxidant Tea Polyphenols (TP). While the extracts also show antioxidant potential in linoleic and linolenic acid systems, the stability of their effects in these oils is lower than in oleic acid system. These results suggest that Nekemias species extracts have the potential to serve as natural additives for extending the shelf life of edible oils, contributing to the exploration of natural antioxidants.
Competing Interests: The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential competing interests: Zhengwen Yu reports financial support was provided by the 10.13039/501100001809National Natural Science Foundation of China [Grants No. 32060068 and No. U1812401] and Natural science research project of Guizhou Provincial Department of Education [Qianjiaoji [2022] 009].
(© 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)