Amperometric biosensor based on a functionalized gold electrode for the detection of antioxidants

A method for the electrochemical detection of antioxidants has been developed, which is based on a radical measurement with a cytochrome c modified electrode. A controlled enzymatic production system for superoxide radicals based on xanthine oxidase was used. The addition of antioxidants facilitated the decomposition of the radical in addition to the spontaneous dismutation. The steady-state of superoxide generation and decomposition was thus shifted to a new situation due to the higher decomposition rate after antioxidant addition. This resulted in a decreased current level at the electrode. Antioxidant activity could be quantified from the response of the sensor electrode by the percentage of the signal decrease. The 50% inhibition value (IC50) for different antioxidants was calculated and the antioxidant activity of numerous substances was compared. Thus, a hierarchy of superoxide radical scavenging abilities of flavonoids was established: flavanols > flavonols > flavones > flavonones > isoflavonones. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.