Addition of antioxidants is an effective way to prevent the development of various off-flavours and undesirable compounds that reslt from lipid oxidation. Cuminum cyminum is one of the popular spices that active principles of cuminaldehyde (cumin) are reported to inhibit lipid peroxidation. Limitted information is available on the antioxidant content and of antioxidant activity cuminum cyminum. In this research, the antioxidant content and antioxidant activity of the extract and essential oil of cuminum cyminum were studied. Antioxidant activity of methanolic extract and essential oil of cuminum cyminum was evaluated in purified sunflower oil at three concentrations compared to control and alpha-tocopherol. The methanolic extract showed antioxidative activity in purified sunflower oil in the dark at 50 C but essential oil showed no antioxidant activities. Amongst the different concentrations of methanolic extract, 2000 ppm showed the highest antioxidant activity.

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