Oxidation at intermediate moisture contents

In the study of the oxidation rate of methyl linoleate in protein and cellulose systems, a prooxidant effect was found at intermediate moisture contents. At low water content, water hydrates metals and hydrogen bonds with peroxides, and an overall decrease in the rate of lipid oxidation results. With an increase in the water content to the region with a water activity of 0.6 to 0.7, the water predominantly acts as a solvent to dissolve and mobilize previously unavailable trace metals with the result of increased oxidation rates. Use of chelating agents such as ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and citric acid reduced oxidation significantly although some antioxidant activity was also observed for butylated hydroxyanisole. These results have important implications in the preparation of intermediate moisture foods.