Antioxidant Activity of Whey in a Salmon Oil Emulsion

The antioxidant capabilities of whey in a Tween 20 TM ‐stabilized salmon emulsion were investigated. Whey fractions inhibited formation of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and lipid peroxides in a 10 % salmon oil emulsion in the order of whey > high‐molecular‐weight (HMW) fraction > low‐molecular‐weight fraction. Heating the HMW fraction exposed sulfhydryls, with optimum exposure at 80 °C. Heating the HMW fraction above 80 °C increased antioxidant activity. The HMW fraction of whey (80 °C) alone, α‐tocopherol (40 ppm) alone, and their combination inhibited TBARS 59,19 and 86%, respectively, at 21 d of storage. Sulfhydryls oxidized before a‐tocopherol, suggesting that sulfhydryls are the primary antioxidant. Results indicate that whey proteins could be useful antioxidants in food emulsions.