Undeniably, low sensitivities in the ferric-reducing ability power (FRAP) is evident in the detection of the augmentation of plasma antioxidant activity, relative to the rise in circulating polyphenols after ingestion of fruits and vegetables. We investigated in vitro the FRAP of 17 plant polyphenols and their metabolites at submicromolar concentrations commensurate in human plasma. We then explored the in vitro effects of polyphenols and purified apple quercetin glycosides on plasma FRAP. We found that apple quercetin glycosides along with various polyphenols observed this distinct power at submicromolar concentrations. The presence of a catechol structure in the compound molecule was positively associated with FRAP (r = 0.60, P < 0.05). An aliphatic substitute at a catechol ring and a double bond in an aliphatic substitute conjugated with an aromatic ring of catechol contributed to 37% of the variance in the FRAP of compounds with catechol in the backbone structure (n = 11). Plasma supplementation with 0.2 microM mixtures of seven of the most active compounds (catechin, 3,4-dihydroxycinnamic acid, 3,4-dihydroxyhydrocinnamic acid, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, ferulic acid, gallic acid and quercetin) initiated a placid rise in FRAP (23.3 +/- 1.2 versus 28.1 +/- 1.3 nmol of Fe(3+), P < 0.05). Apple quercetin glycosides at 0.5 microM did not elevate plasma FRAP. Plasma alone had 30 times higher power than quercetin glycosides at 0.5 microM. Abounding of FRAP exhibited in human plasma as compared to polyphenols at submicromolar concentrations, may offer elucidation to previous incongruities implicated in insignificant rises of plasma FRAP several days after ingestion of fruits or vegetables. This suggests that intake of food products and/or supplements rich in polyphenols containing a catechol ring with an aliphatic substitute augments the plasma FRAP in human beings.