There is an increasing interest in the use and measurement
of antioxidants in food, pharmaceutical, and
cosmetic industries. This interest is rooted in the cumulative
evidence that connects oxidative stress with
numerous degenerative disorders ranging from premature
aging, prostaglandin-mediated in¯ammatory processes,
cancer, and a long series of diseases in which
free radicals are implicated (1, 2). In addition, many
states implement very rigorous regulations on the useof food preservatives, so that they only allow the use of
natural antioxidants. Basically, these include vitamin
C (ascorbic acid), vitamin E (tocopherols and tocotrienols),
and relatively complex extracts from a number of
plant species (Rosmarinus of®cinalis, Nerium oleander,
and Myrtus comunis