Products Formed by Photosensitized Oxidation of Tocopherols

Abstract

Two isomers of primary products formed by methylene blue sensitized photooxidation of Δ-tocopherol were separated by thin layer chromatography. The products were characterized by UV, IR and NMR spectra and were identified to be 8aS-and 8aR-hydroperoxy Δ-tocopheryl dienones, respectively. On decomposition of the photooxidized α-, γ-and Δ-tocopherols, tocopheryl quinone and tocopheryl quinone epoxide were formed. The effect of hydroperoxy Δ-tocopheryl dienone on methyl linoleate peroxidation was examined. The hydroperoxy dienone formed by the photooxidation of tocopherols did not accelerate lipid peroxidation. © 1979, Japan Society for Bioscience, Biotechnology, and Agrochemistry. All rights reserved.