The effect of butylated hydroxytoluene/butylated hydroxyanisole blend (BHT/BHA), and rosemary and
oregano extracts, added individually or in combination, on lipid oxidation and fatty acid composition was
investigated on irradiated frozen beef burgers. Irradiation treatment was carried out using a 60CO semiindustrial
irradiator at doses of 6, 7 and 8 kGy, and then the treated meat samples were stored at 20 C
for 90 days. Lipid oxidation and fatty acid composition of beef samples were evaluated by measurement
of TBARS and gas chromatography, respectively. The results of the experiment showed that rosemary
extract, applied alone and in combination with either BHT/BHA or oregano extract, was more effective in
maintaining a low oxidation level in the samples compared to oregano extract used individually or in
combination with BHT/BHA. Results also showed no significant differences (p > 0.05) in fatty acid
composition in all analyzed samples, although some changes in terms of decreased PUFA and MUFA,
beside of slight increase of SFA content were observed. However, these differences do not correlate
positively neither with the irradiation dose nor the type of antioxidant. Thus, there is a potential
application of these spices as natural antioxidants in irradiated meats.