Study of the degree of oxidation-reduction

The study of the degree of oxidation-reduction allows us to measure the redox potential of a sample, an indicator of its oxidizing or reducing power . This parameter reflects the balance between chemical species capable of donating or accepting electrons. It is a key factor in the chemical stability , quality , and reactive behavior of a product over time.

Performed primarily using potentiometry or voltammetry , this analysis is applicable to a wide range of matrices: plant extracts, cosmetic products, technical solutions, water, or food formulations. It allows, in particular, the evaluation of antioxidant potential and the anticipation of oxidation reactions likely to alter a product or material.

Principles and analytical methods

The redox potential is measured using electrochemical techniques, in particular:

• Potentiometry , which determines the potential of a sample relative to a reference electrode (e.g., Ag/AgCl or calomel electrode) in order to obtain a direct measurement of oxidizing or reducing power.
• Voltammetry allows the observation of oxidation and reduction reactions at an electrode by sweeping the applied voltage. It provides information on the reaction mechanisms and the active species present.

These methods offer high sensitivity and can be combined with other analytical techniques (HPLC, GC-MS, spectrophotometry) to identify the compounds responsible for redox activity.

For further information, see also:

• phenolic assay to assess the content of natural antioxidants,
• analysis of total antioxidant capacity (ORAC, DPPH, ABTS) ,
• or HPLC chromatography to characterize specific oxidizing or reducing molecules.

Industrial applications

The study of the degree of oxidation-reduction has applications in many sectors:

• Cosmetics : control of the stability of formulas rich in antioxidants (vitamins, polyphenols, enzymes) and verification of their effectiveness over time.
• Agri-food and nutraceuticals : evaluation of the antioxidant potential of plant extracts, drinks, oils and food supplements.
• Materials and packaging : measurement of the reducing or oxidizing power of polymers and barrier films, in particular to prevent oxidative degradation.
• Environment and water treatment : monitoring the redox potential of effluents, an indicator of biological activity and the presence of reducing agents.
• Industrial chemistry : control of the stability of technical solutions or reagents sensitive to oxidation.

This study is therefore essential to guarantee the quality, durability and safety of products exposed to oxidation or reduction conditions.

Analytical interest and complementarity

Measuring the degree of oxidation-reduction can be combined with other analyses for a comprehensive understanding of chemical behavior:

• UV-Visible spectroscopy to track electronic transitions related to redox reactions;
• Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) to study the thermal effects associated with oxidation reactions;
• Accelerated aging study to observe the evolution of the redox potential over time;
• Heavy metal analysis (ICP-MS) to identify potential catalysts for oxidation reactions.

These cross-analyses provide a comprehensive view of the stability and chemical reactivity of the samples.

YesWeLab Services

YesWeLab collaborates with a network of partner laboratories accredited to ISO 17025 and COFRAC , experts in electrochemistry and physicochemical analyses.
Our scientific teams select the laboratory best suited to your analytical needs, based on the matrix, the desired method, and the quality control or research objectives.

Thanks to the YesWeLab digital platform , you can centralize your requests, track your samples, and retrieve your results online. Since 2020, YesWeLab has been supporting manufacturers in the cosmetics, nutraceutical, food, and materials sectors with their stability and redox studies.

For any specific request or quote, contact our scientific team today.