The shelf life of vegetable oils in food uses and their applicability in industrial situations is greatly
dependent on their oxidative stabilities. Methods of improving oxidative stability values currently
available include genetic modifications, compositional changes via chemical means, as well as the
inhibition of oxidation by means of substances known as antioxidants. This paper reviews the
properties of vegetable oils which predispose them to auto oxidation reactions, explores the nature and
mechanisms of the operation of antioxidants in brief, and finally summarizes current research efforts
geared towards identifying and evaluating the effectiveness and commercial promise of less toxic new
antioxidants derived as natural extracts from various plant species.