Mechanism of volatile compound production during storage of sunflower oil

Volatile compounds formed in the course of the thermal decomposition of hyd roperoxides during storage of sunflower oil were analyzed by headspace soli d-phase microextraction sampling followed by gas chromatographic separation and mass spectral:detection, The determining role of alkoxyl radicals in t he process has been proven by electron spin resonance spectroscopic measure ments. On the basis of analytical results, the reaction networks and mechan isms were constructed by computer modeling to describe the formation of vol atile products of radical decomposition of hydroperoxides. We established t hat off-flavor aliphatic aldehydes are originated from only the alkoxyl rad icals derived from trigliceride of linoleic acid. To find a specific additi ve, which redirects the formation of these radicals toward production of mo re stable species, is suggested.