Vitamins, 4. Vitamin E (Tocopherols, Tocotrienols)

Designing a Green Replacement for the Lindlar Catalyst for Alkyne Semi-hydrogenation Using Silica-Supported Nickel Nanoparticles Modified by N-Doped Carbon

“…The semi-hydrogenation of alkynes is an important process in the synthesis of vitamins and other fine chemicals. , The value of this process is highlighted by the synthesis of vitamin E, which is produced on >75,000 ton scale annually (2019), allowing it to be classified as a bulk chemical according to Sheldon’s definition . The preparation of vitamins must necessarily be extremely cost-efficient and selective.…”

Over 100 years of vitamin E: An overview from synthesis and formulation to application in animal nutrition

“…Among the industrial products of vitamin E, those from natural sources comprise a minor fraction of the overall market share, accounting for <5% of total volume (Bonrath, Wyss, et al, 2021). The predominant source of natural vitamin E is obtained through the refining of deodorized edible oils, which results in the production of byproducts, so-called deodorized distillates.…”

“…Vitamin E is not only used as a feed ingredient, but also as a potent antioxidant and added to other high-value systems, particularly in foodstuffs and feedstuffs such as carotenoid formulations. In 2019, ~75,000 t/year of synthetic and ~3000 t/year of naturally derived vitamin E were sold globally with an average price of 30-65 USD/kg for the latter (Bonrath, Wyss, et al, 2021). Although the food industry accounts for ~15% of the global market share for vitamin E, the feed industry, holding around 85%, will be the central focus of this overview.…”

“…The definition of vitamin E was recently revised by the World Health Organization, such that only the 2R‐configured molecules refer to the term vitamin E (World Health Organization, 2004). Thus, (all‐ rac )‐α‐tocopherol refers to a equimolar mixture of all the eight possible stereoisomers of α‐tocopherol (Bonrath, Wyss, et al, 2021). Vitamin E maintains the morphological integrity of cellular and subcellular (vascular) membranes and is, therefore, essential for the reproductive, circulatory, nervous, immune and muscular systems.…”

“…The most prevalent form of the vitamin E group is (all‐ rac )‐α‐tocopherol, which is mainly marketed as acetate as an oily, emulsified form or a stabilized powder. The largest producers of (all‐ rac )‐α‐tocopheryl acetate are dsm‐firmenich (Switzerland), BASF (Germany), NHU (China), as well as ZMC (China), whereas most naturally derived vitamin E is produced by ADM and Cargill (United States), as well as AOM (Argentinia) (Bonrath, Wyss, et al, 2021).…”