Butter stability as affected by extracts of sage, rosemary and oregano

Effects of methanolic extracts of sage (Salvia fruticosa L.), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis L.) and oregano (Origanum vulgare L.) on butter stability were investigated. All extracts were individually added to butter at 0.02 or 0.05%. For comparison, 0.02% butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and control group were also prepared and tested. The samples were stored at 25 or 5C. The peroxide value, free fatty acids and thiobarbituric acid value were determined at regular intervals for all samples. Spice extracts and their combinations exhibited a better effect than that of BHA in stabilizing butter against oxidation. The most effective extract was that of sage. The extracts significantly stabilized butter (P<0.05). Butter samples stored at 5C were more stable (P<0.05) than those kept at 25C.