The alcohol-based plant extract works better than the ether-based one at protecting oil from breaking down when heated, because it has more antioxidants.
Scientific Claim
The methanol extract of Aristotelia chilensis leaves demonstrates greater antioxidant efficacy in avocado oil than the ethyl ether extract, as evidenced by higher phenolic content, higher ORAC values, and superior suppression of polar compound formation.
Original Statement
“OM has a total phenolic content greater than 40 times than OE... The AC value obtained for the OM is approximately four times greater than OE... the methanol extract had the best performance against the production of secondary oxidation compounds...”
Evidence Quality Assessment
Claim Status
appropriately stated
Study Design Support
Design supports claim
Appropriate Language Strength
definitive
Can make definitive causal claims
Assessment Explanation
The claim is supported by multiple direct, quantitative comparisons between two clearly defined extracts under identical conditions. The language reflects observed superiority without overreach.
Evidence from Studies
Supporting (1)
The study found that the alcohol-based extract from maqui leaves worked much better than the ether-based one at protecting avocado oil from going bad when heated, because it had more antioxidants and kept the oil stable longer.
Technical explanation
The study directly supports the claim by demonstrating that the methanol extract of Aristotelia chilensis leaves has significantly higher phenolic content (4100.9 ppm) compared to the ethyl ether extract (83.7 ppm), which aligns with the claim’s assertion of greater antioxidant efficacy. Additionally, the methanol extract showed markedly higher ORAC values (19,452.5 µmol Trolox eq/g) versus the ethyl ether extract (5091.6 µmol Trolox eq/g), confirming superior antioxidant capacity. Furthermore, the methanol-fortified avocado oil delayed the formation of polar compounds until 336 hours, whereas the ethyl ether extract and unfortified oil reached limits earlier, indicating better suppression of degradation. The methanol extract also increased the onset degradation temperature by 7°C, further supporting its enhanced stabilizing effect. All measured parameters—phenolic content, ORAC, and polar compound suppression—consistently favor the methanol extract over the ethyl ether extract, fully corroborating the claim.