1,1‐DI‐(2′,5′‐DIHYDROXY‐4′‐TERT‐BUTYLPHENYL)ETHANE: A NOVEL ANTIOXIDANT

ABSTRACT A novel antioxidative compound, namely 1,1‐di‐(2′,5′‐dihydroxy‐4′‐tert‐butylphenyl)ethane (DHPE) was synthesized by condensation reaction between tert‐butylhydroquinone (TBHQ) and acetaldehyde. The antioxidant and free‐radical scavenging activities of this compound were compared to other common antioxidants, namely butylated hydroxyanisole, butylated hydroxytoluene, TBHQ and propyl gallate by 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical assay and oil stability index experiment, deep‐fat frying and Schaal oven test. DHPE was the most potent antioxidant among all antioxidants tested using 10% emulsion and deep‐fat frying at 180C. It was also a very good antioxidant at room temperature in lard and soybean oil. DPPH radical scavenging assay showed that DHPE was a strong free‐radical scavenger.