The literature review systematizes a lot of information on the biological effects of tocotrienols. The effects are described in more details. Vitamin E was discovered at 20s of the last century, but tocotrienols are a less studied part of it. Tocotrienols exhibit cardioprotective, lipid-lowering, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective properties as it has been shown by recent researches. Edible oils (e.g. palm oil, rice bran oil, barley oil, etc.) contain high level of tocotrienols. So, after extraction from plant raw materials they can be used for long-term preventive therapy of many diseases, as well as for the treatment and enhancement of the action of medicinal substances. They can also be used as functional ingredients to stabilize and extend the shelf-life of food products due to their antioxidant properties.
Keywords: antioxidant activity; biological properties; edible oils; functional ingredients; tocopherols; tocotrienols; vitamin E.
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