Influence of added menadione (vitamin K3) on dissolution and dimerization of tocopherols and autoxidation of triacylglycerols during storage of plant oils.

The effect of added menadione (vit. K3) to stored rapeseed and soybean oil on the dissolution and dimerization of natural tocopherols and autoxidation of triacylglycerols was studied. Commercial rapeseed and soybean oils with added menadione and pure oil were stored at +20 degrees C in brown and transparent glass bottles. During storage their peroxide value, changes of the content of fatty acids and dissolution of tocopherols were measured. Destruction of individual tocopherols in tested oils with added menadione stored in both dark and transparent glass bottles were greater than in the oil samples without menadione. However, the degradation of individual tocopherols was different in each oil. Addition of menadione to the rapeseed and soybean oils resulted in the accelerated process of autoxidation of these oils. The oxidative state of the oils was lower in the oils stored in transparent bottles than in the oils stored in brown bottles. The prooxidant activity of menadione was additionally activated by light. Menadione added to the vegetable oils influenced the dissolution of natural tocopherols as well as their dimerization. It is conduced that addition of menadione to vegetable oils decreases their nutritive value.