While the TBARS assay is widely used, it has several limitations. One significant limitation is its lack of specificity. The assay can react with other aldehydes and substances that are not products of lipid peroxidation, leading to potential false positives. Additionally, the assay conditions (such as acid and heat) can sometimes artificially increase TBARS levels. Therefore, results should be interpreted with caution and, if possible, confirmed with more specific methods.
