Bioanalytical approaches in detection of free radicals and RONS

Free radicals, as the name suggests are fleeting entities which vanish sometimes within a millionth of a second. Detection of these species, therefore need some astonishing methods which rather than depending on their kinetics, depend on the measurement of concentration in time and space. A variety of methods are known spanning over a wide range of analytical strategies including fluorescence, spin resonance, kinetic behavior, and time-lapse studies. Some of the methods are more general which cannot distinguish between several radicals while others are specific. Emergence of newer and more reliable methods such as electron spin resonance and nuclear magnetic resonance have already begun to revolutionize the bioanalytical detection of radicals and are likely to add value to free radical research. This chapter provides an overview of popular bioanalytical methods which have been established and widely used in redox biology.