Tocopherol in the context of "Tocotrienol"

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⭐ Core Definition: Tocopherol

Tocopherols (/tˈkɒfəˌrɒl/; TCP) are a class of organic compounds comprising various methylated phenols, many of which have vitamin E activity. Because the vitamin activity was first identified in 1936 from a dietary fertility factor in rats, it was named tocopherol, from Greek τόκος tókos 'birth' and φέρειν phérein 'to bear or carry', that is 'to carry a pregnancy', with the ending -ol signifying its status as a chemical alcohol.

α-Tocopherol is the main source found in supplements and in the European diet, where the main dietary sources are olive and sunflower oils, while γ-tocopherol is the most common form in the American diet due to a higher intake of soybean and corn oil.

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👉 Tocopherol in the context of Tocotrienol

Tocotrienols are plant-derived natural products belonging to the vitamin E family of diterpenoids. They exist as four isomers (alpha, beta, gamma, delta), each differing in the number and position of methyl groups on their chromanol ring. Tocotrienols are distinguished from the closely related tocopherols by their side chains: tocotrienols have three unsaturated isoprenoid double bonds, whereas tocopherols have a fully saturated side chain.

Tocotrienols are compounds naturally occurring in some foods sources, the richest being palm oil, but to a lesser extent rice bran oil, barley, oats, and certain seeds, nuts and grains, and the oils derived from them.

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Tocopherol in the context of Vitamin

Vitamins are organic molecules (or a set of closely related molecules called vitamers) that are essential to an organism in small quantities for proper metabolic function. These essential nutrients cannot be synthesized in the organism in sufficient quantities for survival, and therefore must be obtained through the diet. For example, vitamin C can be synthesized by some species but not by others; it is not considered a vitamin in the first instance but is in the second. Most vitamins are not single molecules, but groups of related molecules called vitamers. For example, there are eight vitamers of vitamin E: four tocopherols and four tocotrienols.

The term vitamin does not include the three other groups of essential nutrients: minerals, essential fatty acids, and essential amino acids.

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Tocopherol in the context of Fat-soluble vitamin

Vitamins are organic molecules (or a set of closely related molecules called vitamers) that are essential to an organism in small quantities for proper metabolic function. These essential nutrients cannot be synthesized in the organism in sufficient quantities for survival, and therefore must be obtained through consumption. For example, vitamin C can be synthesized by some species but not by others; it is not considered a vitamin in the first instance but is in the second. Most vitamins are not single molecules, but groups of related molecules called vitamers. For example, there are eight vitamers of vitamin E: four tocopherols and four tocotrienols.

The term vitamin does not include the three other groups of essential nutrients: minerals, essential fatty acids, and essential amino acids.

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Tocopherol in the context of Vitamin E

Vitamin E is a group of eight compounds related in molecular structure that includes four tocopherols and four tocotrienols. The tocopherols function as fat-soluble antioxidants which may help protect cell membranes from reactive oxygen species.

Vitamin E is classified as an essential nutrient for humans. Various government organizations recommend that adults consume between 3 and 15 mg per day, while a 2016 worldwide review reported a median dietary intake of 6.2 mg per day. Sources rich in vitamin E include seeds, nuts, seed oils, peanut butter, vitamin E–fortified foods, and dietary supplements. Symptomatic vitamin E deficiency is rare, usually caused by an underlying problem with digesting dietary fat rather than from a diet low in vitamin E. Deficiency can cause neurological disorders.

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Tocopherol in the context of Ostrich oil

Ostrich oil is an oil derived from the fat of ostriches. Ostrich oil is composed of 36.51% of saturated fat, 46.75% of monounsaturated fat, and 18.24% of polyunsaturated fat. Ostrich oil contains fatty acids, such as omega-3, omega-6, and omega-9. It also contains vitamins and minerals like vitamin E and selenium, which serve as natural antioxidants. Emu oil in the USA has a similar composition to ostrich oil, but ostrich oil has a higher omega-3 content, containing 2.1% compared to 0.25% in emu oil.

Ostrich oil has antibacterial properties, and is used for various skincare purposes, such as inflammation reduction. Due to the moisturizing properties, ostrich oil is currently used in cosmetic formulations and food chemistry. Ostrich oil is also used in the food industry as it has fatty acids and tocopherols, and a low cholesterol content.

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Tocopherol in the context of Poppyseed oil

Poppyseed oil (also poppy seed oil and poppy oil) is an edible oil obtained from poppy seeds (specifically seeds of Papaver somniferum, the opium poppy).

Poppy seeds yield 45–50% oil. Like poppy seeds, poppyseed oil is highly palatable, high in vitamin E, and has no narcotic properties. Poppy seeds are especially high in tocopherols other than vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol). Compared to other vegetable oils, poppyseed oil has a moderate amount of phytosterols: higher than soybean oil and peanut oil, lower than safflower oil, sesame oil, wheat germ oil, corn oil, and rice bran oil. It has little or no odor and a pleasant taste, and it is less likely than some other oils to become rancid.

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