A novel and rapid method was developed to monitor the autoxidation of edible oils by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy with the use of disposable polymer infrared (PIR) cards having a microporous polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) sample substrate. Under conditions of mild heating (∼58°C) and aeration, both model triacylglycerols (TAGS) and edible oils applied onto the PIR cards underwent rapidly accelerated oxidation. In order to compare the oxidative stability of samples on the PIR cards in terms of the time required to reach a peroxide value (PV) of 100 mequiv/kg oil, matching the end-point measured in the standard active oxygen method (AOM), an absorbance slope factor (ASF) was determined to relate changes in hydroperoxide (ROOH) absorbance (peak maximum found within the range of 3500--3200 cm-1 ) to PV. Similar ASF values were found for the four edible oils tested (safflower, canola, sunflower, and extra virgin olive oil), permitting determination of a pooled, universally applicable ASF value of 0.0526 mAbs/PV. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)... |