AbstractThe objective of this work was to study the evolution of oxidation under oxidative stability index (OSI) conditions using the Rancimat apparatus. Sunflower oils with different degrees of unsaturation (conventional high‐linoleic sunflower oil, genetically modified high‐oleic sunflower oil, and a 1 : 1 mixture of both of them) and virgin olive oil were used. The sunflower oils were tested at 100 °C, while the olive oil was assayed at 100, 110 and 120 °C. Samples were analyzed at different time points and conductivity values, until the induction period (IP) was overpassed. A combination of adsorption and size‐exclusion chromatography was used for the quantification of oxidized triacylglycerol (TG) monomers, dimers and polymers. Additionally, peroxide values (PV) and ultraviolet absorption at 270 nm (K270), as well as losses of tocopherols, were measured. The results showed that oxidized TG monomers were the only group of oxidation compounds that increased during the early oxidation stage. The end of the IP was marked by the initiation of polymerization after the exhaustion of tocopherols. In comparison with reported results obtained at room temperature, the main difference found was that the amounts of oxidation compounds at the end of the IP were much lower at OSI test temperatures. With the exception of the K270 values, the results also showed that the IP endpoints provided by the OSI test were slightly higher than those obtained by quantification of oxidized TG monomers or by PV determination.