In recent years, his research team of synthetic chemists have tried to create more effective antioxidants.
– All organic material manufactured in society or produced in nature reacts with atmospheric oxygen and breaks down if we don't protect it. Without the addition of antioxidants, food would be wasted much faster and plastics turn into flour.
There are also diseases suspected of being caused by so-called oxidative stress - a condition where the natural antioxidant defence is overwhelmed. In such cases, artificial antioxidants could serve as pharmaceuticals, says Lars Engman.
– However, today we have a problem with all new organic compounds that come into play. Many people put an equal sign between chemicals and poison. People are afraid after historic environmental scandals with DDT and PCB.
– But if you really test things carefully before you start using them on a large scale, the benefits outweigh the harms. You can do much more good than evil with chemistry, such as curing diseases and reducing the suffering of people in the world.