In vitro measurements and interpretation of total antioxidant capacity

FRAGA CG; OTEIZA PI; GALLEANO M

BIOCHIMICA ET BIOPHYSICA ACTA-GENERAL SUBJECTS

ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV

Lugar: Amsterdam; Año: 2014 vol. 1840 p. 931 - 934

0304-4165

One of the strategies most commonly used to assess a free radical-antioxidant balance in chemical and biological systems is the determination of the total antioxidant capacity (TAC). A large amount of research has beenpublished using TAC. However, it remains unclear which is the significance of these investigations for understanding the biological importance of free radical reactions. TAC determinations are simple, inexpensive, and able to evaluate the capacity of known and unknown antioxidants and their additive, synergistic and/or antagonistic actions, in chemical and biological systems. However, different TAC assay is sensitive to a particular combination of compounds, but exclude many others. The TAC values for foods cannot be translated to the in vivo (human) antioxidant defenses, and furthermore, to health effects provided by that food. conclusions that can be drawn from the extensive amount of research done using TAC of foods or populations should not be considered when used for making decision affecting population health.