INHIBITORY EFFECT OF BOLDINE ON FISH OIL OXIDATION

The antioxidative effect of boldine, an alkaloid extracted from Peumus boldus Mol. (boldo), was assayed on the spontaneous and on the metal-induced oxidation of fish oil. The inhibitory effect of boldine was compared to those of dl-alpha tocopherol, the flavonoid quercetin and the synthetic antioxidants butylated hydroxytoluene and butylated hydroxyanisole. Boldine, in all assays, showed a good antioxidative effect, which was comparable to that of quercetin and even better than that of dl-alpha tocopherol and the synthetic antioxidants. Additive effects were observed when mixtures of boldine and quercetin or dl-alpha tocopherol were assayed. The present study supports the potential use of boldine as a novel natural antioxidant for fish oil.