Tocotrienols have gained prominence on recent years due to their potential applications and better protective effects in certain system.
Tocotrienols are a group of four amphipathic molecules (alpha, beta, gamma and delta-tocotrienols) that differ in the number and position of the methyl groups in the polar head.
 |
| tocotrienol |
Gamma-tocotrienols is the most prevalent form in nature and it also appears to be the form with the strongest potential for dietary health benefits.
Tocotrienols are found mainly in monocotyledon plants like rice, wheat germ, bran and coconut. Other food sources include cereal grains like barley, oats and rye. The richest source known presently is palm oil.
Tocotrienols are also found in avocados, nuts, seeds and wheat germ. Green leafy vegetable contain smaller amounts of tocotrienols.
Efforts are now taken to bioengineer plants to produce huge amounts of tocotrienols and other vitamin E isoforms. Most tocotrienols from market are derived from rice bran oil and palm oil.
Tocotrienols of vitamin E
