SUMMARY:Aqueous systems at four pH's containing ascorbic acid and various levels of organophosphate insecticides were prepared. The rate of ascorbic acid oxidation was measured polarographically. Organophosphate insecticides tested exhibited antioxidant activity. The antioxidant activity of malathion in the presence of copper ions was lost when EDTA was added. Oxygenated, oxidized and hydrolyzed samples of organophosphates still had antioxidant activity. Experimental evidence indicates that the phosphate moiety of malathion is responsible for this antioxidant activity. It is postulated that the antioxidant activity might be due to the phosphate's ability to chelate metal ions.
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