Oats differ considerably from other cereal grains in that the oat bran fraction contains a large amount of unsaturated fat and an extremely active lipid enzyme system. The oat kernel itself, at its normal moisture of 11-13%, is very stable as the fat is protected in several ways. The fat is stored in encapsulated globules which protect it from oxygen and enzyme activity. Secondly, the normal moisture of the oat is ideal as a minimum of oxidation takes place at that level. In addition, a high level of phenolic compounds are present in the oat and they act as anti oxidants in a manner similar to BHA and BHT.