Abstract
In previous papers, one of the authors reported that the most toxic compounds in autoxidized methyl linoleate were hydroperoxyalkenals containing 5 to 9 carbon atoms. The 50% lethal dose (LD50) of methyl linoleate hydroperoxyalkenals was determined, however, that of other low molecular weight secondary oxidation products (LMWOP) contained in autoxidized fats were not.
This paper deals with the determination of the LD50 of LMWOP. Methyl linoleate was autoxidized at 60°C by bubbling pure oxygen into the ester. LMWOP was separated by molecular distillation and further fractionated by dry column chromatography. Each of the fractions was tested for toxicity. The results indicated that the toxicity pattern according to functional groups was as follows : hydroperoxy alkenals>hydroxyaldehydes>alkenals>hydroperoxides>alkanals.
