Research Journal of Phytochemistry1819-34712151-6081Science International10.3923/rjphyto.2019.1.10Azadirachta indica) on Oxidative Stability of Palm Oil]]>ElaigwuEnenche Daniel OgoOgo Agbor EfiongEsienanwan Esien OcheObochi Godwin 12019131Background and Objective: The search for natural alternatives in oil and food preservation is on the increase considering the potential health impact of using synthetic antioxidants. It is in attempt to bridge this gap that this study was designed to test the potency of leaf extract of neem (Azadirachta indica) in reducing peroxidation and stabilizing palm oil during storage. Materials and Methods: The neem leaf extract was carried out by cold maceration using ethanol as the extraction solvent. The ethanolic leaf extract was then evaluated for chemical composition using GCMS and UV-spectroscopy. Antioxidant activity on the extract was determined by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH); β-carotene linoleic antioxidant activity, oxygen reducing antioxidant capacity (ORAC) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) efficacy using standard procedures. Oil samples were prepared and treated with the plant leaf extracts using four different concentrations (100, 200, 400 and 800 mg L1) on storage for 6 months. Thereafter, chemical properties of the oil samples including peroxide value, anisidine value, iodine value, acid value, saponification value as well as sensory evaluation was also conducted on monthly basis throughout the storage period. Results: The results revealed the presence of certain bioactive compounds and their functional groups previously shown to facilitate antioxidant activities. Similarly, the extract had significant antioxidant effect for DPPH (12.5400±0.0173 IC50 (%) inhibition); β-carotene linoleic antioxidant activity (43.8233±0.0251 IC50 (%) inhibition), ORAC (4.6500±0.0200 μ Mol TE g1) and FRAP (286.4267±0.0378 μ Mol Fe2+ L1). Oil samples treated with the leaf extracts during storage show significant retardation of oxidation compared to untreated samples. In addition, sensory evaluation on a five-point hedonic scale revealed that all samples were generally acceptable. Conclusion: This study has given plausible evidence to support the use of Azadirachta indica as a natural antioxidant to prevent vegetable oils oxidation during prolonged storage.]]>Ajani, E.N., E.A. Onwubuya and H.U. Nwalieji,20122322329Tabee, E.,20082008Azeez, O.T., K.O. Ejeta, E.O. Frank and N.E. Gerald,20133107115Coelho, D.F., L.O. Pereira-Lancha, D.S. Chaves, D. Diwan and R. Ferraz et al.,201144966972Aluyor, E.O. and M. Ori-Jesu,2008748364842Wang, J., D. Wu and W.C. Shen,200219609614Fan, L. and N.A.M. Eskin,20152015pp: 373-388pp: 373-388Iqbal, S. and M.I. Bhanger,2007100246254Farag, R.S., E.A. Mahmoud and A.M. Basuny,200742107115Hameed, A., S.A. Hussain, J. Yang, M.U. Ijaz, Q. Liu, H.A.R. Suleria and Y. Song,2017Mucor circinelloides).]]>2017Hossain, M.A., W.A.S. Al-Toubi, A.M. Weli, Q.A. Al-Riyami and J.N. Al-Sabahi,20137181188Evbuomwan, B.O., I. Felix-Achor and C.C. Opute,2015417Anwar, F., A. Siddiq, S. Iqbal and M.R. Asi,2007Moringa oleifera leaves under ambient storage.]]>143549Dewanto, V., X. Wu, K.K. Adom and R.H. Liu,20025030103014Wahab, O.M. and Q.C. Elabor,2016Moringa oleifera Lam. growing in five local government areas of Oyo State, Nigeria.]]>65460Girgih, A.T., D. Chao, L. Lin, R. He, S. Jung and R.E. Aluko,2015188510516Farag, R.S., A.Z.M.A. Badei, F.M. Hewedi and G.S.A. El-Baroty,198966792799Jacobs, M.B.,19993rd Edn.,AOAC.,200017th Edn.,Nadeem, M., M. Abdullah, I. Hussain, S. Inayat, A. Javid and Y. Zahoor,2013Moringa oleifera leaf extract for the stabilisation of butter at refrigeration temperature.]]>31332339Gallego, M., M. Skowyra, M. Gordon, N. Azman and M. Almajano,2017Caesalpinia decapetala on oxidative stability of oil-in-water emulsions.]]>2017Baldioli, M., M. Servili, G. Perretti and G. Montedoro,19967315891593Prashanth, G.K. and G.M. Krishnaiah,2014Azadirachta indica Linn (Neem).]]>12131Santos, C., M. Salvadori, V. Mota, L. Costa and A. de Almeida et al.,2013in vivo and in vitro models.]]>2013Ryu, K.R., J.Y. Choi, S. Chung and D.H. Kim,2011Artemisia princeps Pamp. in mice.]]>772226Lim, S.Y., M. Meyer, R.A. Kjonaas and S.K. Ghosh,20062006French, M.A., K. Sundram and M.T. Clandinin,200211S401S407Harada, H., U. Yamashita, H. Kurihara, F. Fukushi, J. Kawabata and Y. Kamei,20022225872590Ibrahim, M.B. and S. Sani,2015Azadirachta indica) leaves for removal of organic pollutants.]]>319Frank, N.E.G., M.M.E. Albert, D.E.E. Laverdure and K. Paul,201125258Amata, I.A. and E. Ozuor,20132116119Codex Alimentarius Commission,20052005White, P.J.,19951995pp: 159-178pp: 159-178Van der Merwe, G.H., L.M. du Plessis and J.R. Taylor,2004845258Akinola, F.F., O.O. Oguntibeju, A.W. Adisa and O.S. Owojuyigbe,20108264269Onwuka, G.I. and B.I. Akaerue200611619Akubor, P. and G.I. Ogu,2012331217