Tocopherol Sources, Uses, and Health Benefits

Natural vitamin E includes two groups of closely related fat-soluble compounds, tocopherols and tocotrienols, each composed of four isoforms. alpha-Tocopherol is a very well-known potent antioxidant and radical scavenger in chemical and biological systems. Its structure has served as template for design and synthesis of more potent antioxidant analogues with regard to its potential protective effect against certain diseases associated with ageing -- particularly cancer and heart disease. This book presents and discusses current research in the study of tocopherols. Topics discussed include quantification, antioxidant activity and pro-oxidant effects of alpha-tocopherols from several sources, design, synthesis and biological activity of tocopherol based hybrid molecules. Chromatographic separation of tocopherol isomers.