TBARS Dosage

TBARS test is a commonly used method to assess the level of lipid oxidation in biological, food, or formulated products. This test is based on the detection of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, primarily malondialdehyde (MDA), a recognized marker of lipid peroxidation.

Interest of the dosage

Measuring TBARS is essential for:

• Determine the freshness and shelf life of high-fat products.
• Monitor rancidity and the development of oxidative alterations.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of antioxidant treatments in food or technical formulations.
• Control lipid stability in the development of new products.

Analytical methodology

The TBARS test is performed by UV-Vis spectrophotometry, after reaction between malondialdehyde (and other secondary aldehydes) and thiobarbituric acid (TBA), producing a colored complex measurable at 532 nm. Although relatively simple, this method is reliable for comparing different batches and monitoring the evolution of the product over time.

Analyzed matrices

The TBARS assay applies to many matrices:

• Meat products (fresh meat, cold cuts, animal pâtés).
• Lipid extracts (animal fats, oils).
• Food and technical oils.
• Lipid-enriched products or complex formulations.

Industrial applications

The TBARS test is particularly relevant in:

• Animal nutrition, to assess the quality of raw materials and high-fat formulations.
• The food industry, particularly in monitoring the stability of meat products and oils.
• Research and development to measure the impact of antioxidants or storage conditions.
• Quality control, to guarantee the oxidative stability of finished products.

Related analyses in the YesWeLab catalog

To complement the TBARS test, other lipid quality analyses can be performed:

• Peroxide value (measurement of primary peroxides).
• Acid number (free fatty acids, hydrolysis).
• Fatty acid profile by GC-FID.

YesWeLab Expertise

At YesWeLab, we collaborate with a network of carefully selected laboratories, most of which are ISO 17025 certified and COFRAC accredited. Our role is to assist you in choosing methods suited to your matrices and needs, while ensuring fast, reliable analyses that comply with current standards.