Tocopherol Set

Contains one 50 mg vial each of all-rac-α-tocopherol, all-rac-β-tocopherol, RRR-γ-tocopherol, and RRR-δ-tocopherol.

A convenient four-vial pack containing ~50 mg each of all-rac-α, all-rac-β, RRR-γ, and RRR-δ-tocopherols for use as reference standards for the quantitative and qualitative determination of tocopherols in biological samples. The term vitamin E covers several related tocopherols (all-rac-α-, all-rac-β-, RRR-γ-, RRR-δ-tocopherols) and tocotrienols that have been isolated from natural sources. Of these compounds, α-tocopherol is reported to have the highest biological activity. Most studies in human subjects rely on all-rac-α-tocopherol concentrations in plasma or serum to assess vitamin E status. The biological activity of vitamin E has generally been associated with its well-defined antioxidant property, specifically against lipid peroxidation in biological membranes. With the emergence of a better understanding of the antioxidant effect of vitamin E, researchers have shown it to possess several potentially anti-tumor and cardioprotective properties, including antagonizing the oxidation of low-density lipoproteins, inhibiting platelet aggregation and adhesion, preventing smooth muscle proliferation, and preserving normal coronary dilation. More recently, the observation that all-rac-αtocopherol has a signaling function in vascular smooth muscle cells has raised interest in the roles of vitamin E beyond its antioxidative function. The RRR-γ-tocopherol has been shown to act as a nucleophile that can trap electrophilic mutagens in lipophilic compartments.

Toxicity: Standard Handling (A)

Brigelius-Flohe, R., et al. 1999. FASEB J.13, 1145.
Emmert, D.H., et al. 1999. Arch. Fam. Med.8, 537.
Theriault, A., et al. 1999. Clin. Biochem.32, 309.
Stone, W.L., et al. 1997. J. Natl. Cancer Inst.89, 1006.
van Poppel, G., et al. 1997. Cancer Lett.114, 195.

Packaged under inert gas

Note: most vials contain 50 mg tocopherol ± 10%, although some may contain more. If the material is to be used as a quantitative standard, it is recommended that the material be weighed analytically before use. If small quantities of tocopherol are to be used at one time, slowly draw the material from the vial using a Hamilton syringe, flush with inert gas, and re-seal the vial. If the entire vial is to be used at once, use the following procedure to determine the exact amount of material in each vial:



1. Measure the weight of the vial with tocopherol.

2. Use an organic solvent (e.g. Ethanol) to make a solution of the entire contents of the vial.

3. Dry the vial and measure the weight of the dry vial. **Note: the solvent must be completely evaporated from the sample before use.**

4. Calculate the mass of the tocopherol that was in the original solution based on the following information:

all-rac-α-tocopherol, C₂₉H₅₀O₂, MW 430.7

all-rac-β-tocopherol, C₂₈H₄₈O₂, MW 416.7

RRR-γ-tocopherol, C₂₈H₄₈O₂, MW 416.7

RRR-δ-tocopherol, C₂₇H₄₆O₂, MW 402.7

CALBIOCHEM is a registered trademark of Merck KGaA, Darmstadt, Germany