Free radicals are compounds that can cause harm if their levels become too high in human body. Free radicals and their degradation products are harmful to health by damaging cells and tissues, causing many diseases, and accelerating the aging process. They are linked to multiple illnesses, including diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.
The most active free radicals break bonds in DNA molecules and damage the cells’ genetic apparatus regulating their growth, which can result in cancerous cells.
Human body has its own antioxidant defenses to keep free radicals in check. However, antioxidants are also found in food, especially in fruits, vegetables, and other plant-based, whole foods.
Chokeberry extract exhibited the highest antiradical activity while the apple and carrot chips extracts showed the lowest antiradical activity (Acta Sci Pol Technol Aliment. 2011 Jan-Mar;10(1):63-72)
The scavenging activity of the firethorn is higher than BHT. δ-Tocopherol, α-tocopherol, vitamin K, vitamin D, β-sitosterol, ergosterol, stigmasterol, and the major fatty acids linolenic acid and palmitic acid. These indicate that firethorn can be a good source of natural antioxidant owing to the presence of fatty acids, vitamins, phytosterols and phenolic compounds, and antiradical properties.
Antiradical activity
