Effect of Thyme Addition on some Chemical and Biological Properties of Sunflower Oil

Antioxidants are used to prevent oxidative changes and flavor development in oils and fats. The aim of this study is to evaluate the antioxidant effect of adding thyme powder added on sunflower oil during frying at different temperature intervals (250 ± 1 °C). Thyme powders were added to sunflower oil at ratio of 0.5%, 1% and 1.5%, and the frying period were estimated for 2 h at 250 ± 1 °C. The oil samples collected intervals were at 0.5, 1, 1.5, and 2 h and the potatoes were fried in each time. The antioxidant activity of thyme powders was 93.05 %, estimated using DPPH root scanning methods. The values of acid, peroxide and, the saponification, ​​and the fatty acid content were considered criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of thyme powder in improving the quality of sunflower oil during frying. Our results confirmed that the adding thyme powder to sunflower oil improved their chemical properties, leading to decrease the acid, peroxide, and saponification values, and unsaturated fatty acids increased. Examination of serum function of rats fed with fried potatoes in sunflower oil-added thyme powder decreased total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, and triglycerides, while high-density lipoprotein increased. Moreover the results confirmed that thyme powder reduces liver and kidney functions compared to the control sample. Therefore, adding thyme to sunflower oil retards oxidative decomposition and improves its quality as a natural antioxidant to prolong oil stability.