Inhibition of oxidation of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and fish oil by quercetin glycosides

The antioxidant properties of naturally occurring flavonols, quercetin glycosides, were examined and compared with common food antioxidants butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and α-tocopherol. Antioxidants were incorporated into selected polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) or fish oil in aqueous emulsions and bulk oil systems. The effectiveness of quercetin was similar to or greater than quercetin glycosides in inhibiting lipid oxidation in the oil-in-water emulsion systems when oxidation was induced by heat, light, peroxyl radical or ferrous ion. In bulk fish oil, C-3 glycosylation enhanced the antioxidant activity of quercetin. The effectiveness of quercetin and its glycosides was greater than that of α-tocopherol in the emulsions. Quercetin and quercetin-3-O-glucoside exhibited a better antioxidant activity than BHT in bulk fish oil; however, the reverse was observed in the emulsions of omega-3 PUFA and fish oil systems in agreement with the polar paradox theory. Quercetin and its glycosides were more effective than α-tocopherol in emulsion systems.