Antioxidant activity of wines determined by a polarographic assay based on hydrogen peroxide scavenge.

Antioxidant (AO) activity of various red and white wines of different origin as well as some individual phenolic compounds present in wine has been assessed using a polarographic assay. Direct current polarography has been used to survey hydrogen peroxide scavenge (HPS) upon gradual addition of tested samples. Results expressed as reciprocal value of wine volume required for 50% decrease of anodic limiting current of hydrogen peroxide have been validated through correlation with Folin-Ciocalteau and DPPH assays. All wines exhibit HPS activity analogous with total phenolic content and DPPH scavenge. Reliability and accuracy, low cost, and rapid and direct experimental procedure open a wide area for application of this assay, making it a good alternative to standard, widely accepted AO assays.