IS PLASTOQUINONE(10-OX) AN ANTIOXIDANT MARKER OF RED WINES

Antioxidant activities of 20 different types of Slovak wines were exam ined. For the first time evidence of plastoquinone(10-ox) (PQ(10-ox)) in red wines was documented. Twice higher levels of alpha-tocopherol ( vitamin E) were determined in red wine varieties in comparison to whit e wine varieties. Enzymatic actitivities of superoxidedismutase (SOD) in all red wine varieties were higher compared to white wines; in some white wines they were not detectable. The beneficial effects of antio xidants are discussed, especially the role of coenzyme Q(10) (analogue of plant PQ(10-ox)), vitamin E and SOD in preventing cardiovascular d iseases. It is supposed that PQ(10-ox) could be an antioxidant marker of red wines. To prove the protective effect of a moderate consumption of red wine in human cardiology further studies are required.