Tocopherol Content and Composition in Peanut

The content and composition of tocopherol were analyzed in peanuts produced in Korea. The tocopherol assay was consisted of an extraction with n-hex-ane:isopropanol mixture followed by high pressure liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. Tocopherol content was higher in leaves and seeds but lower in seed coats and shells. α -/~gamma - Tocopherol ratio was as low as 0.53 in seeds and as high as 22.5 in shells. Tocopherol content in seeds of nine varieties ranged from 142 to 220 ng/mg dry weight, and the α -/~gamma -tocopherol ratio from 0.40 to 0.75. Tocopherol content decreased by 18% but α -/~gamma -tocopherol ratio increased by 44% in roasted seeds. The results indicate that the level of tocopherol in Korean peanut varieties is moderate and the ratio of α - to ~gamma -tocopherol is low.