Importance of oxidative degradation on peroxide-decomposing activities of antarctic krill phospholipids.

The peroxide-decomposing activity of Antarctic krill Euphausia superba lipid was studied. Chromatographic analysis by silicic acid showed that krill phospholipids are mainly composed of phosphatidyl choline (PC) with phosphatidyl ethanolamine, lysoPC and oxygenated polar materials. All chromatographic fractions showed varying activity in the decomposition of methyl linoleate hydroperoxides. In order to elucidate the mechanism of peroxide degradation, the tion, partial hydrolysis and oxidation for different periods of time. With hydrogenation, peroxidedecomposing activity was lost and the browning of PC was inhibited as well, With the progress of oxidation, both the peroxide-decomposing activity and the browning of PC were enhandced. Hydrolysis of any part of PC decreased the peroxide-decomposing activity. These results suggest that oxidative degradation is necessary for phospholipids to show peroxide-decomposing activity.