Tocopherols and tocotrienols, which differ only in the degree of saturation of their hydrophobic side chains are collectively known as tocochromanols and are lipid-soluble antioxidants, synthesized by photosynthetic organisms. All tocochromanols are amphipatic molecules. Tocopherols are present in all photosynthetic organisms, but the tocotrienols are found only in certain plant families. The plant chloroplast is the site of biosynthesis. They have a lot of functions in plants; they prevent oxidative damage of biomembranes in plants, oxidative stress indicators, prevent photooxidation of chlorophyll, play an important role in the stabilization of membranes, and they are essential in human diet; they destroy free radicals and thus prevent oxidation, inhibiting the aging process, protecting red blood cells that transport oxygen to the organs, they are neuroprotective, anticancer and cholesterol-lowering. α-tocopherol is known as the most abundant and active form of vitamin E. Vitamin E is a generic description for all tocopherol and tocotrienol derivates. The B. Sc. thesis will discuss the function of tocohromanols, function in plants, animals and human diet and the daily input of vitamin E at different ages and at least contents of α-, β-, γ- and δ-tocochromanol in different fruits and vegetables and vitamin E biofortification.
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