Objective: Comparison and analysis of α-, β-, γ-, δ-tocopherol(T) and α-, β-, γ-, δ-tocotrienol(T3) in 44 species of seafood and aquatic products is under processed to enrich the database of food composition in China and provide a scientific reference for dietary intake choice.
Methods: Quantitative and correlation analysis of eight vitamin E isomers were based on external calibration method with reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography-fluorescence detector, after hot saponification with alkaline and liquid-liquid extraction.
Results: The content of α-tocopherol equivalent(α-TE) in seafood and aquatic products varied greatly(from 0. 10 to 4. 01 mg/100 g edible), as well as the isomer forms. Aspect of vitamin E forms in aquatic fish, detection rates of α-T and α-T3 were both 100%, while the rates of γ-T and γ-T3 were 31. 58% and 68. 42%, respectively. Aspect of vitamin E forms in sea fish, detection rates α-T3, γ-T and γ-T3 were 28. 57%, 28. 57% and 35. 71%, respectively, while the rate of α-T was 100%. The form of vitamin E isomers in fish was at some extent different when they raise up in wild and farming environment, whereas there was no significant different in content of isomers. For shrimp and crabs, the content of α-TE was also various(from 0. 31 to 14. 27 mg/100 g edible), whereas α-T was the primary vitamin E form. And the content of α-T in female crabs was a little higher than that in male crabs, without statistic difference. With respect to correlation analysis, there was a strong correlation between γ-T and α-T3 in sea fish, while weak correlation of isomers in aquatic fish and certain correlations of isomers in shrimp and crab.
Conclusion: The level of vitamin E content in seafood and aquatic products are quite different. Thus, it will bring in different effects on total activity and intake of vitamin E isomers by consumption of different species of seafood and aquatic products.
Keywords: seafood and aquatic products; tocopherol; tocotrienol; vitamin E.