The invention relates to methods, compositions, devices, systems and kits as described including, without limitation, reagents and mixtures for determining the identity of nucleic acids in nucleotide sequences using, for example, sequencing by synthesis methods. In particular, the present invention contemplates the use of polyphenolic compounds, known as antioxidant additives, to improve the efficiency of Sequencing-By-Synthesis reactions. For example, gallic acid (GA) is shown herein to be one of many exemplary SBS polyphenolic additives.