Ethyl cellulose films containing up to 17% polyaniline (PANI EC film) were prepared from ethanolic solutions. The antioxidant capacity of the PANI EC films was examined using the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) assay, and the films demonstrated very efficient peroxyl free radical scavenging activity. A good correlation was also obtained between the net ORAC curve area and the size of the tested film, indicating the homogenous dispersion of active PANI powder across the film. Reduced PANI presented greater peroxyl radical scavenging activity than more oxidized as-prepared forms. The influence of the PANI EC films on the oxidation of Ropufa oil was determined after incubation at 60 degrees C for several days. The oil stored in the presence of a PANI EC film was found to exhibit a lower peroxide value than in the absence of PANI, indicating that the conducting polymer can inhibit the oxidation of fish oil. (c) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.