Oxidative stress has been linked to various diseases
(Halliwell, 1994) while food industry long has been concerned
with issues such as rancidity and oxidative spoilage
of foodstuffs (Shahidi & Wanasundara, 1992). The
enzymatic oxidation as well as autooxidation of lipids
during storage and processing is the major reaction
responsible for the deterioration in food quality affecting
the colour, flavour, texture and nutritive value of the
foods. Antioxidants are often added to foods to prevent
the radical chain reactions of oxidation by inhibiting the
initiation and propagation step leading to the termination
of the reaction and a delay in the oxidation process.
However, the commonly used synthetic antioxidants
such as butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and butylated
hydroxy toluene (BHT) are restricted by legislative rules
because they are suspected to have some toxic effects
and as possible carcinogens (Imaida et al., 1983; Madhavi
& Salunkhe, 1996). Therefore, there has been a considerable
interest by the industry and a growing trend in
consumer preferences for natural antioxidants over synthetic
compounds and elimination of synthetic antioxidants
in food applications has given more impetus to
explore natural source of antioxidants. Thus, antioxidants
are of interest to both food scientists and health
professionals and there has been a convergence of interest
among researchers in these fields as the role of antioxidants
in the diet and their impact on human health
has come under attention