Antioxidant activity of flavonoids of different polarity, assayed by modified ABTS cation radical decolorization and EPR technique

Modified ABTS cation radical decolorization assay and EPR technique were applied to screen the antioxidant activity of three flavonoids with different polarity: 7-O-β-[2-O-feruloyl-β-glucuronopyranosyl (1→2) glucuronopyranoside] (tricine), 4'-methoxy-5,7-dihydroxyflavone 6-C-β-glucopyranoside (isocytisoside) and I 3' II 8 biapigenine (amentoflavone), with nonpolar all-trans β-carotene used as standard carotenoid molecule. The ABTS [2,2'- azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulphonic acid] cation radical decolorization assay was modified as follows: (1) measurements extended up to 8 days after preparation, (2) method adapted for flavonoids with different polarity and β-carotene, (3) concentrations in the 0.01-10 μM range of both trolox and antioxidants in order to use the same experimental conditions for both this technique and EPR measurement.