Selecting the most appropriate antioxidant capacity assay is a key step for obtaining reliable and meaningful results, since antioxidant compounds differ in structure, polarity, and reaction mechanisms.
Antioxidant capacity assays are mainly based on three reaction mechanisms:
- Electron Transfer (ET)-based methods, such as FRAP, Folin-Ciocalteu, CUPRAC and BRS, which evaluate reducing power.
- Hydrogen Atom Transfer (HAT)-based methods, such as ORAC and HORAC, which measure the ability of antioxidants to neutralize free radicals through hydrogen atom transfer.
- Mixed-mode methods, which combine characteristics of both mechanisms, such as ABTS, DMPD and DPPH.
Sample solubility and polarity are also key factors when selecting an antioxidant capacity assay, as some methods are better suited for hydrophilic compounds, while others are designed for lipophilic compounds, or both. Therefore, selecting the appropriate method is essential depending on the solvent used and whether you are working with biological samples, foods, beverages, plant extracts, algae, oils, or cosmetic compounds, among others.
To facilitate the selection of the most suitable assay, we have prepared the following comparative table summarizing the main characteristics of our spectrophotometric kits and electrochemical devices.
Combining different assays can provide a more comprehensive evaluation of the antioxidants present in your samples. Our team can also perform these analyses at our facilities and help you select the most appropriate methods for your specific samples through our analytical services.
Discover our TAC Kits, Polyphenol Quantification Kits, and BRS Devices to find the most suitable solution for your analysis.
Contact us to learn more about our antioxidant analysis solutions at support@bqcredox.com or orders@bqcredox.com. We are here to help you!
