Astaxanthin and Canthaxanthin Are Potent Antioxidants in a Membrane Model

This section is compiled by Frank M. Painter, D.C.
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FROM:   Arch Biochem Biophys 1992 (Sep);   297 (2):   291–295

Palozza P, Krinsky NI

Department of Biochemistry, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02111-1837


When the conjugated keto-carotenoids, either astaxanthin or canthaxanthin, are added to rat liver microsomes undergoing radical-initiated lipid peroxidation under air, they are as effective as alpha-tocopherol in inhibiting this process. This contrasts with the effect of beta-carotene, which is a much less potent antioxidant when added in this system, without the addition of other antioxidants.

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