Product Description
Basic Information
Chemical Name and Structure
Vitamin E is a collective term for a group of fat - soluble vitamins with the activities of α -, β -, γ -, δ - tocopherols and α -, β -, γ -, δ - tocotrienols. Take α - tocopherol (α - Tocopherol) as an example. Its chemical name is 2,5,7,8 - tetramethyl - 2-(4,8,12 - trimethyltridecyl)- 6 - chromanol, and its molecular formula is . Its molecular structure contains a chromanol ring and a long hydrocarbon side chain. This structural characteristic endows it with antioxidant properties, enabling it to capture free radicals and prevent lipid peroxidation.
Appearance and Properties
Vitamin E powder is usually white or slightly yellow powder, odorless, tasteless, or with a slight special smell. The powder is fine - textured and has good fluidity. Generally, it does not agglomerate during storage, which is beneficial for the addition and mixing operations in food, health products, and other products.
Physical and Chemical Properties
Solubility
Vitamin E powder is fat - soluble and has good solubility in fats and oils. For example, it can dissolve rapidly in vegetable oils (such as soybean oil and corn oil). However, it is almost insoluble in water, which limits its direct application in some aqueous systems. Nevertheless, by adding appropriate emulsifiers, it can form a stable emulsion in water, thus expanding its application range. For example, it can be used in some beverages and emulsion - like cosmetics.
Stability
Vitamin E is relatively stable to heat and acid, but it is easily oxidized under light, oxygen, and alkaline conditions. Under light, especially ultraviolet irradiation, its antioxidant structure will be damaged, resulting in a decrease in activity. In the presence of oxygen, an oxidation reaction will occur gradually. Therefore, during storage and use, measures such as light - proof, sealing, and adding antioxidants are usually required to maintain its stability.
Melting Point and Boiling Point
The melting points of different forms of Vitamin E vary. The melting point of α - tocopherol is generally between 2.5 - 3.5ºC. Under normal use and processing conditions, the boiling point is usually not involved because Vitamin E may decompose and lose its activity at high temperatures.
Sources and Production Methods
Natural Sources
Vitamin E is widely distributed in nature, such as in the seeds of plants, nuts, and green leafy vegetables. For example, wheat germ oil is a rich source of natural Vitamin E, and its Vitamin E content is relatively high. Vitamin E can be extracted from natural products by the solvent extraction method. The raw materials containing Vitamin E (such as plant seeds) are crushed and then extracted with an organic solvent (such as hexane). Then, through steps such as separation, concentration, and refining, Vitamin E products are obtained.
Industrial Production Methods
Chemical Synthesis Method: Trimethylhydroquinone and Isophytol are used as the main raw materials to synthesize Vitamin E through chemical reactions. This method has high production efficiency and large output and can meet the large - scale industrial demand. However, chemically synthesized Vitamin E may have some impurities, and its biological activity may be slightly different from that of natural Vitamin E.
Biological Fermentation Method: Using microbial fermentation to produce Vitamin E is an emerging method. Some microorganisms can synthesize Vitamin E or its precursor substances under specific fermentation conditions. Vitamin E produced by this method is closer to the natural form, has better biological activity and safety, and also has certain advantages in environmental protection.
Quality Standards and Specifications
Purity Standard
For Vitamin E powder products, purity is an important quality indicator. In the food and health product fields, the purity of Vitamin E (calculated as α - tocopherol) is generally required to be about 50% - 90%. In the medical field, the purity requirement is higher, usually above 90%, to ensure its effectiveness and safety in the treatment and prevention of diseases.
Impurity Limitations
Heavy Metal Content: There are strict limitations on the content of heavy metals (such as lead, mercury, arsenic, etc.). For example, the lead content is generally not more than 1mg/kg, the mercury content is generally not more than 0.1mg/kg, and the arsenic content is generally not more than 1mg/kg to ensure that the product meets food safety and drug quality standards.
Organic Solvent Residue: Since organic solvents may be used for extraction or synthesis during the production process, there are strict regulations on the residual amount of organic solvents. The residual amount of organic solvents such as hexane is usually required not to exceed a certain limit to prevent harm to human beings.
Other Impurities: Other possible impurities, such as by - products during the synthesis process and raw material residues, also need to be strictly controlled. These impurities may affect the quality, stability, and biological activity of Vitamin E.
Uses and Application Fields
Food Industry
Vitamin E powder is an important nutritional fortifier. When added to food, it can supplement the Vitamin E required by the human body. It can be used for the antioxidant of lipid - based products (such as edible oil and margarine) to prevent lipid oxidation and rancidity and extend the shelf life. When added to cereal products (such as breakfast cereals and biscuits), dairy products (such as milk and cheese), and meat products, it can improve the nutritional value of the products.
Health Product Industry
In the health product field, Vitamin E powder is usually made into capsules, tablets, and other forms and used as a dietary supplement for people to consume. It has multiple health - care functions such as antioxidant, anti - aging, and cardiovascular protection. Long - term consumption of an appropriate amount of Vitamin E supplements is helpful to maintain the normal physiological functions of the body and enhance immunity.
Cosmetics Industry
Vitamin E is widely used in cosmetics. It can be added to skin - care products such as creams, lotions, and serums to play the roles of antioxidant, moisturizing, and skin - nourishing. It can prevent skin aging, reduce the generation of wrinkles, and repair damaged skin cells, keeping the skin healthy and smooth. At the same time, in lip products such as lipsticks and lip balms, Vitamin E can prevent lip chapping and provide a moisturizing effect.
Medical Field
In medicine, Vitamin E can be used to treat and prevent some diseases. For example, it is used to treat Vitamin E deficiency diseases, such as neonatal hemolytic anemia. It also has a certain role in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases and some nervous system diseases. It can also be used as an adjuvant drug to reduce drug side effects or promote wound healing.
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