Vitamin E: An essential micronutrient for a healthy antioxidant system

Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) is an essential micronutrient which is found in a variety of foods of plant and animal origin mainly in nuts, seeds and vegetable oils. Vitamin E is well known as an antioxidant that helps protect cells against oxidative stress. As a scavenger of peroxyl radicals, it inhibits lipid peroxidation reactions, e.g. in cell membranes. Moreover, beyond its antioxidant function, vitamin E supports a healthy immune system. 

Alpha-tocopherol has the highest vitamin E activity of all vitamin E forms. It is also the only form of vitamin E that is recognized by scientists to meet the vitamin E requirements. Although vitamin E deficiency is rare, many people do not consume enough vitamin E to provide what is considered enough to achieve the expected health benefits.

In the food industry, alpha-tocopherol (E307, all-rac-alpha-tocopherol) is used as an antioxidant to reduce oxidation of food products. Thereby, it helps to improve the shelf life of, for example, vegetable oils, margarine and bakery products.

BASF offers high-quality synthetic vitamin E (racemic mixture). The product portfolio includes oily DL-alpha-Tocopherol and DL-alpha-Tocopheryl Acetate as well as various powder types of DL-alpha-Tocopheryl Acetate. Our products range from applications in dietary supplements, fortified foods and beverages.

Sources: Brigelius-Flohé R, 2021; Malik A et al, 2021; NIH Fact Sheets for Health Professionals and Consumers, Vitamin E (September 2023); IOM Dietary Reference Intakes for Vitamin E, 2000; Evans HM et al, 1923