The Antioxidant Capacity Calculator is a pivotal tool used primarily by food scientists, nutritionists, and health professionals to measure the antioxidant capacity of various foods and supplements. This calculator quantifies the ability of substances to absorb antioxidants, comparing them to a standard reference, usually Trolox (a vitamin E analog). Understanding antioxidant capacity is crucial for evaluating the potential health benefits of foods and supplements, aiding in the development of dietary recommendations and nutritional products aimed at improving public health.
Formula of Antioxidant Capacity Calculator
The formula for calculating the Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity (TEAC) is:
Detailed Explanation
- TEAC: Trolox Equivalent Antioxidant Capacity of the sample.
- A_sample: Absorbance of the sample at a specific wavelength.
- A_Trolox: Absorbance of the Trolox standard at the same wavelength.
- C_Trolox: Concentration of the Trolox standard (usually expressed in millimoles per liter).
Steps for Calculation
- Measure the absorbance of the sample (A_sample) at a predetermined wavelength using a spectrophotometer.
- Determine the absorbance of the Trolox standard (A_Trolox) at the same wavelength.
- Obtain or prepare the Trolox standard with a known concentration (C_Trolox).
- Apply these values to the formula to calculate the antioxidant capacity of the sample in relation to Trolox.
General Reference Table
To provide a practical perspective, here’s a table illustrating typical antioxidant capacities of common foods:
| Food Item | Antioxidant Capacity (μmol TE/100g) |
|---|---|
| Blueberries | 6552 |
| Strawberries | 4302 |
| Apples | 3099 |
| Spinach | 1260 |
This table helps users quickly gauge the antioxidant strength of various foods compared to others.
Example of Antioxidant Capacity Calculator
For example, if a blueberry extract has an absorbance (A_sample) of 0.500, and the absorbance of the Trolox standard (A_Trolox) is 0.250 with a concentration (C_Trolox) of 0.6 mM, then:
Using the formula:
- TEAC = (0.500 / 0.250) * 0.6 = 1.2 mM Trolox equivalents
This calculation shows that the antioxidant capacity of the blueberry extract is equivalent to 1.2 millimoles of Trolox per liter of sample.
Most Common FAQs
Measuring antioxidant capacity helps in assessing the potential health benefits of foods and supplements, particularly in combating oxidative stress and preventing chronic diseases.
Antioxidant capacity should be assessed periodically as part of quality control and when developing new food products to ensure their health benefits remain consistent.
While the calculator does not predict specific health outcomes, it provides a metric for the potential effectiveness of dietary antioxidants in reducing oxidative damage in the body.