Free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) are highly reactive molecules that are generated by normal cellular processes, environmental stress, and UV irradiation. ROS react with cellular components, damaging DNA, carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids causing cellular and tissue injury. Excess production of reactive oxygen species can also lead to inflammation, premature aging disorders and several disease states including cancer, diabetes, and atherosclerosis. Organisms have developed complex antioxidant systems to protect themselves from oxidative stress, however, excess ROS can overwhelm the systems and cause severe damage.
ZenBio offers two convenient kits to measure the total antioxidant capacity of biological fluids, cells, and tissue. Both can also be used to assay the antioxidant activity of naturally occurring or synthetic compounds for use as dietary supplements, topical protection, and therapeutics. ORAC is a fluorescence based assay, while the ABTS assay is based on a colorimetric measurement. Let’s take a look at both.