Electron spin resonance study of the role of vitamin E and vitamin C in the inhibition of fatty acid oxidation in a model membrane.

The neutral alpha-tocopheroxyl radicals, generated in monolayers on silica gel containing alpha-tocopherol and partly autoxidised methyl linoleate at 90 degrees C, were detected and identified by ESR spectroscopy. Addition of ascorbic acid to the monolayer resulted in the complete quenching of the alpha-tocopheroxyl radical spectrum. This lends support to the view that ascorbate transfers hydrogen to alpha-tocopheroxyl radicals thus regenerating alpha-tocopherol.