Chapter 17 

 THE TOCOPHEROLS 



I'age 



1. Nomenclature 482 



II. Chemistry 483 



A. Chemistry of \'it:imin 10 484 



B. Derivatives and Their Physiological Action 489 



C. Phj'sical Properties 492 



D. Products of Oxidation 492 



III. Industrial Preparation 495 



A. Source Materials 495 



1. Natural Tocopherols 495 



2. Synthetic Tocopherols 496 



B. Procedures 496 



1. Natural Tocopherols 496 



2. Synthetic Tocopherols 496 



C. Properties and Potency of Available Preparations 499 



1. Natural Tocopherols 499 



2. Synthetic Tocopherols 499 



D. Production Control Tests 500 



IV. Biochemical Systems 501 



A. Absorption and Metabolism 501 



B. Storage 502 



C. Antioxygenic Action 502 



1. In Vivo 502 



2. In Vitro 503 



D. Sparing Action on \'itamin A 504 



V. Estimation 506 



A. Quantitative Determination 506 



1. Chemical assay 506 



2. Bioassay 509 



\'I. Occurrence in Food 512 



VII. Effects of Deficiency 514 



A. In Animals 514 



1. Introduction 514 



2. Male Reproductive System 517 



3. Female Reproductive System 519 



4. Muscular System 522 



5. Nervous S^-stem 532 



6. Vascular System 534 



7. Other Manifestations 538 



B. In Man 541 



1. General Considerations 541 



2. Vitamin E in Early Life 545 



3. Vitamin E in Later Life 551 



481 



