Application of HPLC to Study the Reaction of Free Radicals with Antioxidants and/or Toxins

The application of HPLC in the antioxidative (antiradical) properties studies of various samples is discussed in this paper. The assay is based on the reaction of, characterized by strong oxidizing properties, hydroxyl radicals (generated in the Fenton-like reaction) with the sample and with the, so-called, sensor. The product of the sensor reaction with the radicals is analyzed using RP-HPLC with fluorescence detection. It is well known that antioxidants, which are healthy for living organisms, have a negative environmental effect. Therefore, the goal of the paper is to discuss if the same setup can be used to get rid of unwanted compounds (toxins) from the environment. It was found that the phenols and PAHs are degraded by hydroxyl radicals. The optimal (maximum degree of the degradation) conditions were obtained for pH = 3.0 and 0.1 mM Fe2+.