Table 5 Different types of free radicals and possible damages caused by them

Superoxide anion

Can damage mitochondria and DNA

Beckman et al. (1994), Gupta (2015)

Hydroxyl radical

Capable of damaging organic molecules present close to it, which include carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and DNA

Singlet oxygen

Causes oxidation of low-density lipid

Peroxyl radical

Involved in food spoilage

Alkoxy radical

Can cause DNA mutations and apoptosis

Reactive nitrogen species (RNS)

May cause risk for cancer development, hepatitis or other chronic inflammatory processes