Sources of Natural Vitamin E
Natural vitamin E, or tocopherol, is a fat-soluble antioxidant found widely in plant foods, with the highest concentrations found in specific oils, seeds, and nuts. The extraction of this valuable nutrient is a process that separates the vitamin from its source material to produce a concentrated oil for supplements, cosmetics, and other applications.
Vegetable Oils: The Primary Source
Many commercial natural vitamin E oils begin as a crude vegetable oil or a byproduct of vegetable oil processing. During the refining and deodorization of oils, vitamin E is often concentrated in the distillates, which can then be collected and purified.
- Wheat Germ Oil: Widely regarded as one of the richest natural sources of vitamin E, wheat germ oil provides significant amounts of tocopherols, particularly alpha-tocopherol. Extracting vitamin E from wheat germ is a common industrial practice, sometimes utilizing supercritical fluid extraction with carbon dioxide for a clean and efficient process.
- Sunflower and Safflower Oils: These are excellent sources of naturally occurring tocopherols. The distillation process of these oils is a major source for commercial natural vitamin E.
- Soybean Oil: Soybean oil is a significant source, notably for gamma-tocopherol, which is the most common form of vitamin E in the American diet due to the widespread use of soybean-based products.
- Palm Oil: Palm oil is another important source, especially for tocotrienol isomers, another class of vitamin E compounds.
Nuts and Seeds
While not typically processed specifically for oil extraction on a large scale for supplements, nuts and seeds are rich dietary sources of natural vitamin E and are sometimes used in smaller, artisanal production runs.
- Almonds: Containing a high amount of vitamin E, almonds are often consumed directly but their oil also contains the vitamin.
- Sunflower Seeds: These seeds are a concentrated source of vitamin E and can be used to produce sunflower oil, as mentioned above.
- Hazelnuts: Hazelnuts and their oil are also good sources of tocopherols.
Extraction and Manufacturing Methods
The process to isolate natural vitamin E from these sources is complex and involves multiple steps to concentrate and purify the compound. Conversely, synthetic vitamin E is produced through chemical synthesis.
Natural Extraction
Commercial natural vitamin E is often derived from the deodorization distillates of vegetable oils, not directly from the raw plant material. These distillates, which are a byproduct of oil refining, contain a concentrated amount of vitamin E that can be further processed through methods like:
- Molecular Distillation: This process uses a vacuum and low heat to separate different compounds based on their molecular weight, effectively separating the vitamin E from other oil components.
- Supercritical Fluid Extraction (SFE): An advanced method that uses carbon dioxide under high pressure and low temperature to gently extract vitamin E without the use of harsh chemical solvents, yielding a high-purity product.
Synthetic Production
In contrast to natural extraction from plants, synthetic vitamin E (labeled 'dl-alpha-tocopherol' or 'all-rac-alpha-tocopherol') is created in a lab from petrochemicals. The process involves reacting isophytol with trimethylhydroquinone. This synthetic form contains a mix of eight stereoisomers, whereas the natural form contains only one stereoisomer (d-alpha-tocopherol), which is believed to be more bioavailable and effective for the body.
Natural vs. Synthetic Vitamin E Oil
There are key differences between vitamin E oils derived from natural sources and those produced synthetically. These differences impact their effectiveness and absorption by the body.
| Feature | Natural Vitamin E (d-alpha-tocopherol) | Synthetic Vitamin E (dl-alpha-tocopherol) |
|---|---|---|
| Source | Plant-based vegetable oils, nuts, seeds | Petrochemicals |
| Isomers | Contains only one stereoisomer (RRR-alpha-tocopherol) | Contains a mixture of eight stereoisomers |
| Bioavailability | Generally considered more bioavailable and potent for the body | Offers lower potency and may be less effective for the body |
| Appearance | Brownish, often with a characteristic smell | Clear, odorless liquid |
| Cost | More expensive to produce and purchase | Cheaper to produce and widely available |
The Role in Cosmetics
In the cosmetic industry, the source and form of vitamin E are critical. Natural tocopherol is often preferred for its antioxidant properties and skin benefits, such as fighting free radicals and promoting healthy skin. However, synthetic vitamin E esters like dl-alpha-tocopheryl acetate are often used because they are more stable and have a longer shelf life, though they must first be converted into the active tocopherol form by the skin to be effective. This trade-off between stability and immediate efficacy is a key consideration for formulators.
Conclusion
In summary, the question of what is vitamin E oil extracted from has a multifaceted answer, differentiating between natural and synthetic forms. Natural vitamin E oil is predominantly extracted and purified from vegetable oils like wheat germ, sunflower, and soybean, often derived from a byproduct of the refining process. In contrast, synthetic vitamin E is a lab-created molecule from petrochemicals, which differs structurally and in its biological potency. For consumers and formulators, understanding the source is crucial for choosing the most effective product, whether for nutritional intake or topical skin application.
Learn more about Vitamin E from the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements.
