The substance that is reduced and that, therefore, oxidizes the other component of an oxidation-reduction system.
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oxidant adj
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n.
(in biological systems) a molecule that serves as an electron acceptor. In human disease oxidants are derived from normal intracellular processes and released by inflammatory cells. They are counteracted by antioxidant, such as beta-carotene.
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ox·i·dant (okґsĭ-dənt) the electron acceptor in an oxidation-reduction (redox) reaction.Medical dictionary. 2011.