ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF NATURAL STEROLS A ND ORGANIC-ACIDS

This paper deals with antioxidant activity of sterols and natural orga nic acids not covered on previous papers. The paper <<Antioxidant acti vity of phenolic compounds>> covered phenolic acids; the second one << Antioxidant activity of vitamin C, D and provitamin A>>, ascorbic acid , and the third <<Antioxidant activity of natural nitrogenous compound s>>, aminoacids. The acids studied here included citric, malic, lactic , fumaric, tartaric, kojic (5-hydroxy-2-[hydroxymethyl-gamma-pyrone], phytic (inositol-hexaphosphoric acid) and furoic acids. The reaction m echanisms, either as inhibitors of the chain reaction of prooxidant ra dicals or by sequestration of free radicals was discussed. Finally, a list of recent patents of this compounds and their derivatives as anti oxidants or synergists was included.