Alkaline saponification results in decomposition of tocopherols in milk and ovine blood plasma.
Alkaline saponification of entire sample matrixes for quantification of alpha-, gamma-, delta-tocopherols (alpha-T, gamma-T, delta-T) and alpha-tocopherol acetate (alpha-TAc) was examined. High-performance liquid chromatography was used to measure alpha-T, gamma-T, delta-T and alpha-TAc in tocopherol standard solutions, milk and ovine blood plasma. Saponification in the presence of vitamin C decreases the concentration of tocopherols, especially alpha-T and gamma-T. The poor recovery of tocopherols is due to the decomposition of tocopherols in saponified standard solutions, milk or plasma. Saponification of samples in the presence of 2,[6]-ditertbutyl-p-cresol or flushed only with a stream of Ar resulted in a major decrease in the concentrations of alpha-T, gamma-T, delta-T and alpha-TAc in comparison with saponification in the presence of vitamin C.
Czauderna
M
M
The Kielanowski Institute of Animal Physiology and Nutrition, Polish Academy of Sciences, 05-110 Jablonna, Poland. m.czauderna@ifzz.pan.pl
Kowalczyk
J
J
D000468:Alkalies / Q000737:chemistry; D000818:Animals; D002851:Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid / Q000379:methods; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D008892:Milk / Q000737:chemistry*; D010949:Plasma / Q000737:chemistry*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D034561:Sheep, Domestic; D024505:Tocopherols / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry
D000468:Alkalies; D024505:Tocopherols