ABSTRACT
The action and activity of tocotrienols (T3) as radical-scavenging antioxidants have been studied and compared with those of tocopherols (T) by many investigators. Because the side chain at the 2-position of chromanols exerts small effect on the reactivity of phenolic O-H bond toward free radicals, it is anticipated that the corresponding α-, β-, γ-, and δ-isoforms of T3 and T exert similar antioxidant activity. Some studies show the similar antioxidant activities for T3 and T, while other studies suggest different activities and effects exerted by T3 and T. In this chapter, the chemical and physical effects on the antioxidant action of T3 and T in solution and membranes will be reviewed.
