Material Contact and Environmental Effects on Vitamin A Fortified Vegetable Frying Oil

Abstract

The impact of environmental parameters and time, on fortified vegetable oil, using typical commercial grade linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) packaging during typical shelf-life conditions, were studied over long-term (12 months) to evaluate impact of temperature and illuminance (light: 100 to 150 lux and darkness <1 lux) on refined bleached deodorized palm olein (RBDPOL), fortified with vitamin A, without antioxidant. Results showed degradation of fortified RBDPOL with 70 ppm vitamin A was approximately 19% at 18-22oC in Light, 18% at 18-22oC in Darkness, 38% at 32-33oC in light and 24% 32-33oC in darkness. A similar trend was observed at 45 ppm vitamin A. Irrespective of the contact packaging material, a prolonged exposure at elevated temperature significantly impacts vitamin A depletion.