Lipid-soluble formulations containing mixtures of antioxidants

Abstract

An antioxidant formulation that is readily dispersible in lipid matrices at ambient temperature by gentle stirring. The formulation includes a phenolic antioxidant compound, a liquid carrier, preferably a metal chelator, an emulsifier, and a polarity modifier. In preferred embodiment, a combination of lipid-soluble and water-soluble antioxidant compounds is included to provide and improved antioxidant effect.

We claim:  
     
         1 . An antioxidant product dispersible in oils and fat matrices, comprising: 
 (a) a phenolic antioxidant;    (b) a liquid polar carrier;    (c) an emulsifier; and    (d) a polarity modifier.    
     
     
         2 . A product as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the phenolic antioxidant is selected from the group consisting of gallic acid and esters of gallic acid, flavones, phenolic di- and tri-terpenes, and phenolic extracts of sage, rosemary and thyme.  
     
     
         3 . A product as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the carrier is selected from the group consisting of monopropylene glycol, polyethylene glycol, glycerol and water.  
     
     
         4 . A product as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the emulsifier is selected from the group consisting of acylglycerides, di-acylglycerides, phospholipids, and lysophospholipids.  
     
     
         5 . A product as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the polarity modifier comprises a short chain fatty acid.  
     
     
         6 . A product as defined in  claim 5 , wherein the short chain fatty acid is selected from the group consisting of propionic acid, butyric acid and acetic acid.  
     
     
         7 . A product as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising a natural antioxidant.  
     
     
         8 . A product as defined in  claim 7 , wherein the natural antioxidant is selected from the group consisting of gallic acid, tocopherols, carotenoids, anthocyanidins and non-phenolic extracts of herbs, spices and hulls.  
     
     
         9 . A product as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising a synthetic antioxidant.  
     
     
         10 . A product as defined in  claim 9 , wherein the synthetic antioxidant is selected from the group consisting of BHA, BHT and ethoxyquin.  
     
     
         11 . A product as defined in  claim 1 , further comprising a metal chelator.  
     
     
         12 . A product as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the metal chelator includes organic acids.  
     
     
         13 . A product as defined in  claim 12 , wherein the organic acid is selected from the group consisting of ascorbic acid and citric acid.  
     
     
         14 . A method of protecting a lipid matrix against oxidation, comprising the steps of adding the product of  claim 1  to the lipid matrix and stirring the lipid matrix to disperse the product of  claim 1  in the lipid matrix.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the method is carried out at ambient temperature.  
     
     
         16 . An antioxidant product dispersible in oils and fat matrices, comprising: 
 (a) a first amount of gallic acid;    (b) a second amount of an antioxidant compound other than gallic acid;    (c) wherein the product protects the oils and fat matrices against oxidation for a time that is longer than the protection time of a molar equivalent amount of either gallic acid alone equal to the first amount plus the second amount or of the antioxidant compound alone equal to the first amount plus the second amount.    
     
     
         17 . The antioxidant product of  claim 16 , wherein the antioxidant compound other than gallic acid is selected from the group consisting of tocopherols, carotenoids, anthocyanidins, extracts of herbs, spices and hulls, BHA, BHT and ethoxyquin.  
     
     
         18 . A method of protecting oils and fat matrices against oxidation, comprising: 
 (a) treating the oil or fat matrix with an antioxidant composition comprising: 
 (i) a first concentration of gallic acid which if used alone protects the oil or fat matrix against oxidation for a first amount of time, and  
 (ii) a second concentration of an antioxidant compound other than gallic acid which if used alone protects the oil or fat matrix against oxidation for a second amount of time; and  
   (b) wherein the antioxidant composition protects the oil or fat matrix against oxidation for a time that is greater than the average of the first amount of time and the second amount of time.    
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein the antioxidant compound other than gallic acid is selected from the group consisting of tocopherols, carotenoids, anthocyanidins, extracts of herbs, spices and hulls, BHA, BHT and ethoxyquin.