Analytical methods of evaluation of antioxidant/free-radical scavenging activity

Baronová, P. Analytical methods of evaluation of antioxidant/free-radical scavenging activity. Charles University in Prague, Faculty of Pharmacy in Hradec Králové, 65 pp. Antioxidant active compounds play a positive role in the prevention and threatment of many diseases. Consequently, antioxidant activity of natural and synthetic compounds is world-widely investigated. For this purpose, many methods for the evaluation of the activity were elaborated. The first part of this review is focused on the describtion of free radicals, its origin and function in the human body. Antioxidants are divided into several subclasses like endogenous and exogenous, which are divided to high-molecular or low molecular according to the structure, and synthetic and natural according to the origin. The methods for determination of free radicals (synthetic or endougenous radicals) scavenging activity, evaluation of inhibition of lipid peroxidation, or redox properties (chemical or elektrochemical methods) of tested compounds are enclosed in this thesis. The instrumetnal analytical methods like HPLC or SIA (sequential injection methods) and FIA are also mentioned. The review also describes the practical examples of use of various described methods. In the conclusion, the advantages and disadvantages of individual methods..