[Progress report. Lipid peroxidation. 1. Primary reactions].

Edible fats and oils are an important component of human nutrition. There are many kinds of changes and destruction of lipids. One of the most important processes is the autoxidation of essential fatty acids. Primary products of oxidation are mono-hydroperoxides of fatty acids formed by three different pathways. Thermal activation of fatty acids will be followed by thermodynamically controlled distribution of the hydroperoxide isomers. With enzymatic or photochemical oxidation specific distribution of isomeric hydroperoxides is observed. These products can be also used for the determination of the type of oxidation which took place. The hydroperoxides formed in the process of oxidation cause a radical chain reaction with a powerful progress of oxidation. The products formed by chain termination are characterized by different stability. These products include the possibility of decomposition and consequent reactions.