Oxidation kinetics of β‐carotene in oleic acid solvent with addition of an antioxidant, α‐tocopherol

Oxidation experiments with β‐carotene were performed in oleic acid solvent with addition of an antioxidant, α‐tocopherol. A kinetic model was proposed based on a reaction mechanism consisting of the oxidation of β‐carotene, oleic acid, and α‐tocopherol; the antioxidation reactions of β‐carotene and oleic acid by α‐tocopherol; the cross‐reaction of β‐carotene and oleic acid; and the radical‐exchange reaction of β‐carotene and α‐tocopherol. The model quantitatively described the oxidation behavior of β‐carotene over a wide range of temperatures, oxygen compositions, and initial antioxidant concentrations. The model simulated well the time over which β‐carotene was almost totally consumed under practical storage conditions at room temperature in air.