Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) Colorimetric Assay Kit

Antioxidants is essential for preventing the formation of free radicals and other toxic oxidizing species. Three types of  antioxidants (enzyme, small molecules and proteins) are different in their reducing power. Trolox can standardize antioxidants by measuring the antoxiants with Trolox equibanletns. Detection of the combined nonenzymatic antioxidant capacity of biological fluids and other samples gives an indication of the total capability to counteract reactive oxygen species (ROS), resist oxidative damage and combat oxidative stress-related diseases. In some cases, the antioxidant contribution of proteins is desired whereas in other cases only the contribution of the small molecule antioxidants is needed. This Total Antioxidant Capacity (TAC) Colorimetric Assay Kit can measure both small molecule antioxidants and proteins in combination or small molecules alone with Protein Mask. Cu²ᶧ ion is converted to Cu+ by both small molecule and protein. The Protein Mask prevents Cu²ᶧ reduction by protein, allowing analysis of only the small molecule antioxidants. The reduced Cu+ ion is chelated with a colorimetric probe offering a broad absorbance peak around 570 nm, proportional to the total antioxidant capacity.