• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.33-37
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• 1993

Oxidations products of ${\alpha}-tocopherol$, ${\gamma}-tocopherol$ and ${\gamma}-tocotrienol$ in lipophilic reaction media were studied. ${\alpha}-Tocopherylquinone$, ${\gamma}-tocopherylquinone$ and ${\gamma}-tocotrienylquinone$ were fractionated using micro column, isolated and identified by HPLC and MS.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.39 no.8
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• pp.773-785
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• 2006

Vitamin E in the body system plays an important role in preventing chronic diseases by decreasing the oxidative stress by free-radicals. However, there are not enough researches on analyzing the primary factors affecting vitamin E levels in the blood in Korean adults. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to examine blood tocopherol levels and the primary factors affecting the status. A complete lifestyle survey was performed on 314 Korean adult men and surveyed their smoking, drinking and exercising habits. The average plasma level of ${\alpha}-\;and\;{\gamma}-tocopherol$ showed similar mutual relations with plasma total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), or low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels (p<0.001). Plasma ${\alpha}-tocopherol$ level of the subjects did not show any difference as smoking, drinking and exercising habits changed. However, ${\gamma}-tocopherol$ per TG showed much lower figure in smokers than non smokers (p < 0.05). Amongst diet factors, plasma ${\alpha}-tocopherol$ level showed negative correlations with Vitamin E intake, while ${\gamma}-tocopherol$ level showed positive correlations with Vitamin E intake. Erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and plasma tocopherol showed negative correlations, and catalase activity and plasma ${\alpha}-tocopherol$ showed positive correlationship. The level of cell DNA damage of Iymphocyte and plasma ${\alpha}-\;or\;{\gamma}-tocopherol$ showed negative correlations. As a result of this research, the factors that affect Korean adult men's plasma ${\alpha}-tocopherol$ level are plasma TG, LDL-C and cell DNA damage in Iymphocyte, while the factors that affect ${\gamma}-tocopherol$ level are plasma TG, LDL-C and vitamin E intake based on multiple regression analysis. These findings implies that the level of different types of tocopherol depends on slightly different factors. A further research is needed on the factors involved in the differentiation of the types of tocopherol.

• KOREAN JOURNAL OF CROP SCIENCE
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• v.46 no.4
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• pp.279-283
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• 2001

The content and composition of tocopherol were analyzed in peanuts produced in Korea. The tocopherol assay was consisted of an extraction with n-hex-ane:isopropanol mixture followed by high pressure liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. Tocopherol content was higher in leaves and seeds but lower in seed coats and shells. $\alpha$-/${\gamma}$- Tocopherol ratio was as low as 0.53 in seeds and as high as 22.5 in shells. Tocopherol content in seeds of nine varieties ranged from 142 to 220 ng/mg dry weight, and the $\alpha$-/${\gamma}$-tocopherol ratio from 0.40 to 0.75. Tocopherol content decreased by 18% but $\alpha$-/${\gamma}$-tocopherol ratio increased by 44% in roasted seeds. The results indicate that the level of tocopherol in Korean peanut varieties is moderate and the ratio of $\alpha$- to ${\gamma}$-tocopherol is low.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.306-312
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• 2001

We investigated the effect of physical exercise on the intakes and plasma levels of vitamin C and E in young male adults. The study population were divided into two groups: small-amount exercisers($\leq$ 30min/day, n=29) and moderate-amount exercisers(> 30min/day, n=32) according to their physical exercise habits measured by a questionnaire. Dietary intakes of vitamin C and E of the subjects were estimated by the 24 hour recall method. Plasma lipid profiles, vitamin C, $\alpha$-tocopherol and ${\gamma}$-tocopherol levels were analyzed. No significant differences were observed in total cholesterol, TG, HDL-C and LDL-C of plasma between two groups. Plasma vitamin C and $\alpha$-tocopherol levels in moderate-amount exercisers were significantly higher than those in small-amount exercisers, although dietary intakes of vitamin C and vitamin E were not significantly different between two groups. However, plasma ${\gamma}$-tocopherol level of moderate-amount exercisers did not significantly differ from small-amount exercisers. There was a positive correlation between the amount of exercise and plasma $\alpha$-tocopherol level. These results suggest that moderate amount of exercise over 30 min per day would lead to a healthy life with an activated antioxidant defence system against oxidative stress.(Korean J Nutrition 34(3) : 306~312, 2001)

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.16-22
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• 2005

A cDNA encoding ${\gamma}-tocopherol$ methyltransferase (${\gamma}-TMT$) from Arabidopsis thaliana was overexpressed in lettuce (Latuca sativa L.) to improve the tocopherol composition. Seven lines of lettuce ($T_0$) containing the ${\gamma}-TMT$ transgene were produced by Agrobacterium-mediated transformation. The inheritance and expression of the transgene were confirmed by DNA and RNA gel blot analyses as well as quantification of tocopherols and ${\gamma}-TMT$ activities. The ratio of ${\alpha}-/{\gamma}-tocopherol$ content (TR) varied from 0.6 to 1.2 in non-transformed plants, while the $T_0$ plants had ratios of 0.8 to 320. The ratio ranged from 0.4 to 544 in 41 $T_1$ progenies of the $T_0$ transgenic line gTM3, and the phenotypic segregation indicated monogenic inheritance of the transgene (i.e., 3:1 = dominant:wild-type classes). There was a tight relationship between the TR phenotype and ${\gamma}-TMT$ activity, and enzyme activities were affected by the copy number and transcript levels of the transgene. The TR phenotype was stably expressed in $T_2$ progenies of $T_1$ plants. The results from this study indicated that a stable inheritance and expression of Arabidopsis ${\gamma}-TMT$ transgene in lettuce results in a higher enzyme activity and the conversion of the ${\gamma}-tocopherol$ pool to ${\alpha}-tocopherol$ in transgenic lettuce.

• KSBB Journal
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.210-214
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• 2005

The characteristics of sesame oil containing one of natural antioxidant, ' $\gamma$-tocopherol', were studied with the supercritical $CO_2$ extraction. Although $\gamma$-tocopherol has a lower vitamin E value in biological systems than $\alpha$-tocopherol, it is a more potent antioxidant with in oils. For the research of various factors influence to the $\gamma$-tocopherol contents increment, we have checked roasting time and temperature, as well as pressure, temperature and flow rate of supercritical fluid. As a result, we found that the $\gamma$-tocopherol content was maintained constant under the condition of roasting temperature over $200^{\circ}C$. With the longer roasting time, $\gamma$-tocopherol content was increased. Except 250 bar, the $\gamma$-tocopherol content was maintained constant under the condition of the various pressure of supercritical fluid. But $\gamma$-tocopherol content was increased with lower flow rate of supercritical fluid from 1 $m{\ell}$/L to 3 $m{\ell}$/L. When the extraction performance with the supercritical fluid was compared to the conventional compressed extraction, $\gamma$-tocopherol content was increased up to 1.6 times.

• Food Science and Biotechnology
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.526-532
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• 2009

Quenching mechanisms and kinetics of $\alpha$-, $\beta$-, $\gamma$-, and $\delta$-tocopherol in photosensitized oxidation of lard were studied. Lard at 0.03, 0.07, 0.11, and 0.3 M in methylene chloride containing $4.4{\times}10^{-6}\;M$ chlorophyll and 0, 0.1, 0.3, and 0.6 mM $\alpha$-, $\beta$-, $\gamma$-, and $\delta$-tocopherol were stored under light for 4 hr, respectively. Oxidation was determined by headspace oxygen and peroxide value. Tocopherols prevented the photosensitized oxidation of lard (p<0.05). Steady state kinetic study showed that $\alpha$-, $\beta$-, $\gamma$-, and $\delta$-tocopherol prevented the photosensitized oxidation of lard by quenching singlet oxygen. Singlet oxygen quenching rates of $\alpha$-, $\beta$-, $\gamma$-, and $\delta$-tocopherol by headspace oxygen depletion were 1.86, 2.39, 2.47, and $2.11{\times}10^7/M/sec$, respectively. The quenching rates of $\alpha$-, $\beta$-, $\gamma$-, and $\delta$-tocopherol by peroxide value were 1.42, 1.11, 0.97, and $0.42{\times}10^7/M/sec$, respectively. The quenching rates of tocopherols were slightly different depending on the measurements of oxidation.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.304-314
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• 2010

Vitamin E has been a generic term for all tocopherol and tocotrienol derivatives. The most active form of vitamin E isoforms in vivo is regarded to be $\alpha$-tocopherol which is the only form defined as vitamin E in the US Food and Nutrition Board, causing controversy over setting dietary reference intake (DRI) of vitamin E. However, most of the countries other than the US maintain the original concept that all isoforms are accepted as vitamin E but with different biopotency. The roles of the isoforms of vitamin E other than $\alpha$-tocopherol have received continuous attention. Among them those of $\gamma$-tocopherol and $\alpha$-tocotrienol have been most studied in comparison with $\alpha$-tocopherol, since $\gamma$-tocopherol comprises major form of vitamin E in many plant seeds and those of the both vitamin E have been implicated in unique physiological functions. This review summarizes findings that have led a better understanding of vitamin E absorption, transport, tissue storage and various functions common and specific to vitamin E isoforms focusing $\alpha$- and $\gamma$-tocopherol as well as tocotrienols. It is expected to help redefining vitamin E and setting its DRI for Koreans.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.203-206
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• 2002

${\gamma}-Tocopherol$ methyltransferase (TMT) is an enzyme catalyzing ${\gamma}-tocopherol$ into ${\alpha}-tocopherol$ at the final step of ${\alpha}-tocopherol$ synthesis pathway. Putative TMT cDNA clone specific to Perilla frutescens immature seeds was isolated from cDNA library. The cDNA clone consisted of 1369 bp open reading frame encoding 369 amino acids with a relative Mw of 42 kDa. Results revealed the CDNA has 60% homology to Arabidopsis thaliana TMT, and possesses methyltransferase and S-adenosyl methionine-binding domains, suggesting that cDNA encodes a ${\gamma}-tocopherol$ methyltransferase To characterize the properties of the TMT gene, the cDNA sequences coding for mature TMT were expressed in E. coli and assayed to determine the enzyme activity in vitro.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.85-89
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• 2008

The oxidative stability of refrigerated precooked pork patties containing commercial ${\gamma}$-oryzanoland ${\alpha}$-tocopherol was evaluated. Precooked pork patties containing either ${\gamma}$-oryzanolor ${\alpha}$-tocopherol showed higher oxidative stability (p<0.05) during storage at $4^{\circ}C$ than did the precooked pork patties without the additives (control). The thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARs) values and warmed-over flavor (WOF) of the precooked pork patties containing ${\gamma}$-oryzanolor ${\alpha}$-tocopherol were lower (p<0.05) than those of the control during refrigerated storage (0, 1, 4, and 8 days). The correlation between TBARs and WOF values was significant (p<0.05). 7-Ketocholesterol content was lower (p<0.05) than those of the control during refrigerated storage (0, 6, 12, 18, and 24 days). The correlation between TBARs values and 7-ketocholesterol content was also significant (p<0.05).