Merck, T3634-10G, (+)-α-Tocopherol

General description
This product is miscible with chloroform or ethanol. It is practically insoluble in water but it is miscible with ether, acetone, and vegetable oils. It is unstable to alkaline conditions.
α-Tocopherol is synthesized from γ-tocopherol by the action of enzyme γ-tocopherol methyltransferase. It is the major form of Vitamin E in human plasma. It is present in sunflower seed oil.
Application
(+)-α-Tocopherol has been used:
as a food supplement for juvenile cobia fish
to evaluate its protective effect on bisphenol A induced oxidative stress in rats
to test its chemopreventive efficacy in estrogen-mediated mammary cancer rats

Biochem/physiol Actions
Tocopherols (TCP) (vitamin E) are a series (α, β, γ and δ) of chiral organic molecules that vary in their degree of methylation of the phenol moiety of the chromanol ring. Tocopherols are lipid soluble anti-oxidants that protect cell membranes from oxidative damage. α-Tocopherol is the form of tocopherol preferentially absorbed by homo sapiens. Various isofroms and analogues of tocopherol have opposing and differentiated regulatory activities in vivo.
α-Tocopherol is essential for the photosynthesis in Synechocystis sp. strain PCC 6803. Supplementation with α-Tocopherol decreases lipid peroxidation and platelet aggregation. It inhibits protein kinase C and may play key role in gene regulation.
Packaging
Packaged under argon in a sealed ampule.
Analysis Note
Approx. 670 mg D-α-tocopherol per gram. The non-α content is typically between 5-35 mg/g
Other Notes
Mixed constitutional (α, β, γ, δ) isomers.
Disclaimer
Subject to air oxidation.