Tocotrienol from Palm Oil: Occurrence, Separation, and Health Benefits Kgs Ahmadi
Tribhuwana Tunggadewi University
Abstract
Tocotrienols are a type of vitamin E with a slightly different structure which are have three double bonds in their hydrocarbon chain. Tocotrienols have higher antioxidant activity than tocopherols, also contribute to reduce the malignancy of some cancer diseases, increase immune system, reduce inflammation, and decline cholesterol level. Palm oil is one of limited sources of tocotrienol therefore it is a valuable source of this vitamin E. By product of palm oil refining, palm fatty acid distillate (PFAD), is also a source of tocotrienols. Some efforts have been conducted to separate tocotrienols form palm oil and its by-products. Tocotrienols rich fraction from PFAD have been proved to have antioxidant activity and reduce cholesterol level. Unsaponifiable fraction from PFAD that contains tocotrienols also improves cholesterol level, has in vivo antioxidant and immunomodulator activity, as well as stimulate milk breast production. Fortification of that fraction into some food products also showed similar health benefits.
Keywords: health benefits, palm fatty acid distillate, palm oil, tocotrienols, vitamin E
