ABSTRACT
Eight natural compounds, four tocopherols, designated as α, β, γ, and δ, and four tocotrienols, also designated as α, β, γ, and δ, have vitamin E activity. α-Tocopherol has become synonymous with vitamin E because it is the predominant form in human and animal tissues. In addition, it is
the most bioactive form based on the rat fetal resorption test, which is the classic assay for vitamin E activity. Recent research, however, shows that the other tocopherols and tocotrienols have important and unique antioxidant and other biological effects in nutrition and health and are now receiving increased attention1.
