Role of seed phosphatides as antioxidants for ghee (butter fat)

Abstract Antioxidant potentiality of seed phospholipids for stored ghee was found to be in the order of sunflower ( Helianthus annuus L.), groundnut ( Arachis hypogea ), soybean ( Glycine max ) and cotton seed ( Gossypium sp. ), possibly corresponding to their phosphatidyl ethanolamine content. Out of phosphatidyl choline, phosphatidyl ethanolamine and phosphatidic acid, phosphatidyl ethanolamine was found to be the most effective antioxidant. Antioxidant property of phosphatidyl ethanolamine did not vary with the seed source, indicating that the fatty acid portion of the molecule played no role in protecting ghee against oxidation. In stored ghee addition of phosphatidyl ethanolamine and phosphatidyl choline reduced lipolysis, probably by interacting with the lipase system. During storage, phosphatidyl ethanolamine afforded better protection against the oxidation of unsaturated fatty acids.