AbstractThe antioxidant efficacy of various oxidation inhibitors in low erucic acid rapeseed oil has been studied in a screening test at 130°C by an induction period method. Hindered monophenols, sulphides, phosphites, aromatic amines and zinc dithiophosphates yielded no or only marginal stabilising effects. Remarkably increased oxidation stabilities were observed with certain hindered bisphenols, polyhydroxybenzenes, zinc and bismuth dithiocarbamates. In high oleic sunflower oil with a lesser portion of multiple unsaturation, these additives induced relatively longer induction periods. Mixtures of zinc dithiocarbamates and 4,4′‐methylenebis‐(2, 6‐di‐tert‐butylphenol) or octylated di‐phenylamine, as well as compositions of all three compounds, exhibited synergistic effects. Under the conditions employed these additives were distinctly superior to commercially recommended formulations. A mechanistic concept of the antioxidant action of zinc dithiocarbamate is bri