Free Radicals Overview
Free radicals are lead characters in research related to antioxidants and oxidative stress. They are reactive species (oxidants), generated internally and externally, that can have adverse effects on normal physiological function - oxidative stress. The role of antioxidants is to interact with free radicals and "quench" them, or render them harmless.

The investigation of free radicals is a Core Scientific Focus at Brunswick Laboratories. This is inseparable from our antioxidant research, as the measurement of the antioxidant capacity of a substance measures its ability to quench free radicals.

Our R&D accomplishments and current initiatives focus on five primary oxidants. These are:

• Peroxyl radical - hydrophilic
• Peroxyl radical - lipophilic
• Hydroxyl radical
• Peroxynitrite
• Singlet Oxygen

Improved understanding of the behavior and measurement of antioxidants relative to these oxidants hold important implications for a wide range of industry applications.

Brunswick Laboratories will continue its leadership role in the development of our commercial capabilities on this area.