Interactions Among Oil Components During Adsorption: Effects on Carotenoids and Peroxides

Soybean, cottonseed, com and squash seed oils were treated for 3 h with activated carbon (1%, 2.5%, and 5%) in a batch adsorption system at 50 and 90°C. Peroxides (P a ) and carotenoids (C a ) were determined after adsorption. Equations that described the P a and C a variability were developed through discriminatory multiple regression analysis using as independent variables chemical characteristics of the oils (iodine and saponification index, peroxides, carotenoids and free fatty acids, saturated/unsaturated fatty acids ratio), process temperature and adsorbent concentration. Variables in the models explained ∼85% and ∼93% of the total variability observed in the P a and C a concentrations respectively, independent of oil source.