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The thiobarbituric acid (TBA) test is a widely used analytical method for measuring lipid peroxidation and oxidative stress in biological and food samples. It quantifies the presence of malondialdehyde (MDA) and other secondary oxidation products formed when unsaturated fatty acids react with reactive oxygen species (ROS).

1. Key Applications

• Food Quality Assessment:
  • Detects lipid oxidation in fats, oils, and processed foods .
  • Indicates rancidity and staling in products like beer and wine.
• Medical and Biological Research:
  • Evaluates oxidative damage in tissues, plasma, or cell cultures.
  • Studies the role of oxidative stress in neurodegenerative diseases , atherosclerosis, and cancer.
• Environmental Monitoring:
  • Assesses lipid peroxidation in aquatic organisms exposed to pollutants.

2. How It Works

• Reaction Mechanism:
  • MDA  reacts with TBA under acidic conditions or high temperatures  to form a pink chromogen.
• Detection:
  • The intensity of the color is measured spectrophotometrically  or via fluorescence.

3. Advantages

• Sensitivity: Detects low levels of lipid peroxidation.
• Versatility: Applicable to diverse sample types.
• Cost-Effectiveness: Requires basic reagents and equipment.

4. Limitations

• Specificity: Interferes with non-MDA compounds, potentially overestimating oxidation.
• Matrix Effects: Sample composition (e.g., pH, lipids) can influence results.
• Temperature Sensitivity: High heat can artifactually generate MDA.

5. Modifications and Alternatives

• High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC): Improves specificity by separating MDA from interferents.
• Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS): Provides precise quantification but is more complex.
• Fluorescent Probes: Used in live cells to monitor real-time ROS production.

6. Practical Examples

• Brewing Industry:
  • TBA values in beer correlate with staling; lower values indicate freshness.
• Neuroscience:
  • Increased TBA-reactive substances in brain tissue suggest oxidative damage in neurodegenerative disorders.