Abstract
To analyze the antioxidant effects of cacalol we determined its reactivity with different reactive oxygen species (ROS). Cacalol gave rise to cacalone by a specific site reaction with a hydroxyl radical. Singlet oxygen reacted only with the double bond of the furan ring, causing its rupture. On the other hand, ozone reacted with all double bonds in cacalol affording 2-methyl-hexanedioic acid as an end product. No reaction was observed with either superoxide or hydrogen peroxide. The potential antioxidant effect of cacalol as a scavenger of hydroxyl radical and singlet oxygen could be related to its function in the plant roots.
