On the Electrochemical Oxidation of Resveratrol

Abstract

Resveratrol (3,5,4prime-trihydroxystilbene) is an organic metabolite produced by plants in response to fungal infection. It is found in various plant fruits and is abundant in the skins of unripe grapes and related products. This photosensitive molecule exists in two isomeric forms, trans and cis-resveratrol. The antioxidant activity of resveratrol, both trans and cis forms, was evaluated by means of cyclic, differential pulse and square-wave voltammetry over a wide pH range, using a glassy carbon electrode. Voltammograms of resveratrol presented two oxidation peaks; the first oxidation peak corresponds to the oxidation of the phenol group and was shown to undergo an irreversible oxidation reaction. The second oxidation peak corresponds to the oxidation of the resorcinol moiety and is also irreversible. The influence of pH on the electrochemical oxidation process of resveratrol was investigated.