Effects of α-tocopherol and citric acid on the oxidative stability of alimentary poultry fats during storage at low temperatures

The purpose of this study was to investigate the stability of three alimentary poultry fats (goose, duck, and chicken) by natural antioxidants (α-tocopherol and citric acid). This was targeted to extend their shelf life, and to monitor the quality parameters during refrigerated (+4°C) and frozen storage (–20°C). The addition of natural antioxidants in a proportion of 0.1% has extended the shelf life of goose fat stored at +4°C by 90 days; for goose fat stored at –20°C citric acid has prolonged the shelf life by 150 days, while goose fat with α-tocopherol could be stored for more than 480 days at –20°C without spoilage. Polyunsaturated fatty acids and monounsaturated fatty acids content decreased significantly (p < 0.05) after 480 days of chilled storage for fat samples with α-tocopherol. The natural antioxidants provided good protection against oxidation of poultry fats, and these can be used to monitor the oxidation of fats and to predict their shelf life stability.