The antioxidant activity of several phenolic compounds has been evaluated in terms of the inhibition of the lipid oxidation. The extent of linoleic acid oxidation was monitored by the absorption of the conjugated diene hydroperoxydes formed as a result of oxidation. The antioxidant activity of phenolic compounds was evaluated in aqueous media consisting of negatively-charged micelles of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) or positively-charged micelles of hexadecyl trimethylammonium bromide (HDTBr). 2,2′-azobis-(2-amidinopropane)-dihydrochloride (ABAP) was employed as the oxidation initiator. The assayed phenolic compounds showed good antioxidant efficiency, closely related to the presence of hydroxyl groups and the electron delocalization within the structure, which may stabilize the formed phenoxyl radicals. The kinetic analysis revealed that the oxidizability of linoleic acid was 10-fold higher in SDS than in HDTBr media, which could indicate that oxidation is favoured in negatively charged SDS micelles regarding to positive HDTBr medium. Furthermore, a greater antioxidant efficiency of phenolic compounds was found in HDTBr than in SDS micelles. © 2011 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC.