Esterified α-Tocopherol and Tocotrienols in Palm Oils

Esterified α-tocopherol and tocotrienols in palm oils were separated from free tocopherols and tocotrienols by TLC. After saponification of the esters, liberated α-tocopherol and tocotrienols were determined by HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography). Crude palm oil, crude palm olein and RBD (Refined, Bleached and Deodorized) palm oleins contained, respectively, esterified α-tocopherol (2464μg/g), α-tocotrienol (16μg/g), γ-tocotrienol (211μg/g), and δ-tocotrienol (14μg/g).