Study of the degree of oxidation-reduction

The study of the degree of oxidation-reduction makes it possible 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 giving up or capturing electrons. It constitutes a key factor in the chemical stability , quality and reactive behavior of a product over time.

Carried out mainly by potentiometry or voltammetry , this analysis applies to a wide range of matrices: plant extracts, cosmetic products, technical solutions, water or food formulations. In particular, it allows the antioxidant potential and oxidation reactions likely to alter a product or material to be anticipated.

Principle and analytical methods

Redox potential is measured by 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 the oxidizing or reducing power.
• Voltammetry , which allows oxidation and reduction reactions to be observed on an electrode by scanning 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 compounds responsible for redox activity.

For further information, also see:

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

Industrial applications

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

• Cosmetics : control of the stability of formulas rich in antioxidants (vitamins, polyphenols, enzymes) and verification of their effectiveness over time.
• Agrifood and nutraceuticals : evaluation of the antioxidant potential of plant extracts, beverages, 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 of the redox potential of effluents, 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

The measurement of the degree of redox can be combined with other analyses for a comprehensive understanding of chemical behavior:

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

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

YesWeLab Services

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Our scientific teams select the laboratory best suited to your analytical needs, according to 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 in their stability and redox studies.

For any specific requests or quotes, contact our scientific team today.