How does an antioxidant stabilize a free radical?

Antioxidants neutralize free radicals by giving up some of their own electrons. In making this sacrifice, they act as a natural “off” switch for the free radicals. This helps break a chain reaction that can affect other molecules in the cell and other cells in the body.

What happens to an antioxidant after it donates an electron?

Antioxidants are molecules that can donate an electron to stabilize and neutralize free radicals. Like a domino that refuses to fall, an antioxidant can stop the free radical chain reaction in its tracks. In donating an electron, the antioxidant itself becomes a free radical.

How do antioxidants remain stable?

Antioxidants donate an electron to ROS to stabilize them, without becoming free radicals themselves. The body cells manufacture many of these antioxidants to ward off invading organisms.

When an antioxidant chemical donates an electron to a free radical?

1). Antioxidant vitamins (e.g., Vitamin E, Vitamin C) donate their electrons to free radicals to stabilize them. Antioxidant phytochemicals (e.g., beta-carotene and other carotenoids) may inhibit the oxidation of lipids or donate electrons.

How can we prevent free radicals?

Keep in mind that free radical content is high in nutrient-poor meals and those deficient of antioxidants.

1. Avoid high glycemic foods, or foods that are rich in refined carbohydrates and sugars.
2. Limit processed meats such as sausages, bacon and salami.
3. Limit red meat.
4. Don’t reuse cooking fats and oils.

Is an antioxidant an electron donor?

Natural, polyphenolic compounds, such as flavonoids, were established as electron donors (antioxidants) with highly reactive, electrophilic azide and dibromide radicals (Table 2). In contrast with the aforementioned radicals, the superoxide radical was unreactive with such antioxidants [64].

What role do antioxidants play in redox reactions?

An antioxidant, or a free-radical scavenger, is a molecule capable of decreasing or preventing the oxidation of other molecules. Oxidation reactions transfer electrons from a substance to an oxidizing agent. Antioxidants often play the role of a reducing agent, e.g., thiols or polyphenols.

How do antioxidants inhibit oxidation?

Antioxidants inhibit the oxidation of foods by scavenging free radicals, chelating prooxidative metals, quenching singlet oxygen and photosensitizers, and inactivating lipoxygenase.

Are free radicals stable or unstable?

Share on Pinterest Free radicals are unstable atoms. To become more stable, they take electrons from other atoms. This may cause diseases or signs of aging.

What makes free radicals unstable?

Their unstable nature is caused by having an unpaired electron. As a result of this unpaired electron, free radicals seek out and take electrons from other molecules, which oftentimes causes damage to the second molecule.

How do antioxidants neutralize free radicals?

Because free radicals lack a full complement of electrons, they steal electrons from other molecules and damage those molecules in the process. Antioxidants neutralize free radicals by giving up some of their own electrons. In making this sacrifice, they act as a natural “off” switch for the free radicals.

What is the role of antioxidants in the body?

The role of the antioxidants is to neutralise the free radicals in biological cells, the free radicals having a negative impact on living organisms. A special role in neutralising the effects of the oxidative stress related to the presence of free radicals is played by the enzyme called superoxyde dismutase (SOD).

How do free radicals get stabilised?

Hence, they get stabilised by electron releasing groups, which “quench” the requirement of electrons for the free radicals. This can happen via induction, or by resonance,or even by hyperconjugation (which is basically the same as resonance).

How do molecules behave as oxidants and reductants?

They can either donate an electron to or accept an electron from other molecules, therefore behaving as oxidants or reductants.[5]