| alpha-tocopherol | <chemical> A light yellow, viscous, odourless, oily liquid that deteriorates on exposure to light, is obtained from wheat germ oil or by synthesis, biologically exhibits the most vitamin E activity of the alpha-tocopherol's, and is an antioxidant retarding rancidity by interfering with the autoxidation of fats. Prepared from natural phytol, it is called 2-ambo-alpha-tocopherol; from synthetic phytol, all-rac-alpha-tocopherol or synt-alpha-tocopherol; also available are d-alpha-tocopheryl acetate, dl-alpha-tocopheryl acetate, d-alpha-tocopheryl acid succinate, and d-alpha-tocopheryl acetate concentrate. One of several forms of vitamin E. Chemical name: 2,5,7,8-tetramethyl-2-(4',8',12'-trimeth yltridecyl)-6-chromanol; 5,7,8-trimethyltocol Synonym: vitamin E. (14 Aug 2000) |
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