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Folin Phenol Reagent
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How does the total phenolic content measured using the Folin Phenol Reagent correlate with antioxidant activity in various food products?

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Choose the Best Answer

A

Higher total phenolic content generally indicates lower antioxidant activity.

B

Total phenolic content is unrelated to antioxidant activity.

C

Higher total phenolic content typically correlates with higher antioxidant activity.

D

Antioxidant activity is only dependent on vitamin C levels.

Understanding the Answer

Let's break down why this is correct

Answer

The Folin‑Phenol reagent measures the reducing power of phenolic molecules, giving a total phenolic content (TPC) value. Because phenols are good radical scavengers, foods with high TPC usually show strong antioxidant activity in tests such as DPPH or FRAP. However, the correlation is not perfect because other antioxidants like vitamins C and E also contribute, so a food can have high antioxidant activity even with lower TPC. For example, grape juice shows a high TPC by Folin‑Ciocalteu and also a low IC₅₀ in a DPPH assay, illustrating the positive relationship. Thus, TPC measured by the Folin reagent is a useful, though not exclusive, predictor of antioxidant capacity in foods.

Detailed Explanation

When a food has more phenolic compounds, it can donate electrons to neutralize harmful free radicals. Other options are incorrect because The idea that more phenolics mean less antioxidant activity is wrong; Saying phenolics are unrelated to antioxidant activity ignores how they donate electrons.

Key Concepts

total phenolic content
antioxidant activity
Topic

Folin Phenol Reagent

Difficulty

medium level question

Cognitive Level

understand

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