antioxidant

Definitions

1. Any substance that slows or prevents the oxidation of another chemical.
2. One of a group of vitamins that act against the effects of free radicals.

Equivalents

Examples

“Although BHA (butylated hydroxyanisole) and BHT (butylated hydroxytoluene) are avoided by some consumers because several studies have⟳ suggested they may be toxic or carcinogenic (they are banned in Britain), these antioxidants have⟳ also been shown to inhibit the action of cancer-causing chemicals, and BHT has been shown to suppress the growth of harmful viruses.”

“The postulated mechanism for the reaction of coumarin 4 as an antioxidant, as indicated in Fig 3, relies on the mercapto hydrogen atom (bold), which is under the influence⟳ of resonance and inductive effects.”

CEFR level