Mixed Tocopherols

Mixed tocopherols concentrate (CAS 1406-66-2) is the natural vitamin E complex recovered from vegetable oil deodoriser distillate, most commonly non-GMO soybean or sunflower. Unlike single-isomer vitamin E, it contains all four naturally occurring tocopherol homologues: d-alpha-tocopherol (CAS 59-02-9, C29H50O2, MW 430.71), d-beta-tocopherol (CAS 148-03-8, C28H48O2, MW 416.68), d-gamma-tocopherol (CAS 54-28-4, C28H48O2, MW 416.68) and d-delta-tocopherol (CAS 119-13-1, C27H46O2, MW 402.65). A soy-derived concentrate typically shows d-gamma as the dominant homologue at roughly 55 to 60 per cent of total tocopherols, with d-delta at 25 to 30 per cent, d-alpha at 10 to 15 per cent and d-beta at 1 to 2 per cent. The balance of the material is the natural oil matrix of triglycerides, sterols and free fatty acids carried over from the source oil. Thovek offers the concentrate at 30, 50, 70 and 90 per cent total tocopherols, in both low-alpha types intended for antioxidant duty and high-alpha types intended for nutritional labelling. As a food additive the material is designated E306 tocopherol-rich extract in the European Union, where Commission Regulation (EU) No 231/2012 requires not less than 34 per cent w/w total tocopherols, and INS 307b in the Codex system. The gamma and delta homologues are the more effective radical scavengers in lipid systems, which is why low-alpha grades are specified as a label-friendly replacement for synthetic antioxidants in edible oils, fish and algal oils, snack fats, meat products and pet food. The alpha homologue carries the highest vitamin E activity in nutrition and is therefore the reference point for high-alpha grades used in supplement and food fortification. The product is a clear to slightly hazy reddish-brown to amber viscous oil, insoluble in water, miscible with edible oils and fats and soluble in ethanol, acetone and hexane. Each lot is analysed for total and individual tocopherols by HPLC with fluorescence detection, together with acid value, peroxide value, colour, refractive index and residual hexane controlled to USP General Chapter 467 limits. Lead, arsenic, cadmium and mercury are held to FCC and EU 231/2012 limits, and identity-preserved non-GMO, allergen, kosher and halal documentation is available. Filling is done under nitrogen because the free phenolic tocopherols oxidise readily once the headspace is opened.