Is plastoquinone10-ox an antioxidant marker of red wines?

Research NoteAntioxidant activities of 20 different types of Slovak wines were examined. For the first time evidence of plastoquinone10-ox (PQ10-ox)) in red wines was documented. Twice higher levels of alpha-tocopherol (vitamin E) were determined in red wine varieties in comparison to white wine varieties. Enzymatic actitivities of superoxidedismutase (SOD) in all red wine varieties were higher compared to white wines; in some white wines they were not detectable. The beneficial effects of antioxidants are discussed, especially the role of coenzyme Q10 (analogue of plant PQ10-ox), vitamin E and SOD in preventing cardiovascular diseases. It is supposed that PQ10-ox could be an antioxidant marker of red wines. To prove the protective effect of a moderate consumption of red wine in human cardiology further studies are required