Antioxidant activity of vitamin C, E, and provitamin A

Abstract

As a continuation of the study of natural antioxidants, this paper includes vitamin C (ascorbic acid), vitamin E (tocopherols and tocotrienols), and provitamin A (β-carotene, lutein, zeaxanthin, isozeaxanthin, lycopene, astaxanthin and cantaxanthin) and, as well as those derivatives of these which have been described as antioxidants, either used as food additives or protectans of cell membranes (in vivo). Their role as inhibitors of chain reactions of prooxidant radicals by irreversible reaction or quenching of such radicals is discussed. Finally, patents registered during the last years for these compounds, their derivatives and synergists are cited.