| abstract |
The water-soluble and fat-insoluble polyphenolic antioxidants (catechins) present in green tea are made into solution in an edible nonionic lipid-soluble solvent for the tea catechins selected from the group consisting of a fatty alcohol containing 8 to 18 carbon atoms, inclusive, preferably 12 to 14 carbon atoms, inclusive, and a non-ionic surface active agent selected from the group consisting of glyceryl mono-oleate, liquid mono- and di-glycerides, acylated mono- and di-glycerides, benzyl alcohol, triacetin, caproic-caprylic acid polyglycerides, polysorbate, especially glyceryl mono-oleate, and mixtures thereof, which solutions are effective antioxidants in fats, oil, foods, and ingredients of foods without imparting undesirable flavors, aromas, and precipitates. Since it is known that tea polyphenols have positive effects on human health, the resulting stabilized lipids can be considered to have nutritional qualities superior to the same lipid stabilized with common synthetic antioxidants. Unexpectedly strong synergistic effects with other natural antioxidants and with phosphates are also shown. |