Antioxidant properties of branched-chain amino acid derivatives.

Abstract

The antioxidant activities of branched-chain amino acid derivatives, such as dipeptides and amino alcohols, were evaluated by the active O2 method. Dipeptides containing a branched-chain amino acid showed higher antioxidant activities than those having no branched-chain amino acid. An N-terminal branched-chain amino acid in dipeptides was preferable to a C-terminal one for antioxidant activity. A free N-terminal amino group was important for the appearance of antioxidant activity.