Enhancement of Red Pigment Formation in Thiobarbituric Acid Reaction of Combination of Alkenals, Alkadienals and Organic Hydroperoxides

Abstract

A mixture of malonaldehyde, an alkenal, an alkadienal and an organic hydroperoxide, as an oxidized lipid model, was made to react with thiobarbituric acid (TBA) in 4% acetic acid at 100°C for 20min. Amount of a red pigment, formed from the alkenal and the alkadienal, was greatly increased with the amounts of other components. A combination of that alkenal and alkadienal or that of two alkadienals synergistically enhanced the pigment formation. Organic hydroperoxides dramatically enhanced this formation from these aldehydes. Intermediary 1:1 adducts of the aldehydes with TBA were effectively converted to the pigment in the presence of hydroperoxides. Pigment yield was much greater than that of the malonaldehyde content in the mixture. Alkenals, alkadienals and hydroperoxides may contribute to formation of red pigment synergistically in TBA tests for oxidized lipids.