The progress of the Maillard reaction and the effect of Maillard reaction products (MRPs) on lipid oxidation in preheated model systems containing pregelatinized starch, glucose, lysine, and soybean oil have been studied during storage. The samples, either containing all components or excluding one or more of them, were heated at 100 degrees C for 90 min and then stored for up to 180 days at 25 degrees C. Browning indices and lipid oxidation were measured, and the results showed that, in samples containing oil, the Maillard reaction had a significant rate also at room temperature and confirmed the ability of MRPs to retard peroxide formation. Under the conditions adopted the rate of the Maillard reaction was increased by the presence of the oil and its oxidation products. The antioxidant action of the MRPs was also evaluated using a peroxide scavenging test based on crocin bleaching. The results demonstrated that antioxidant activity developed with increased browning of the samples.