Differences in the Compositions of Vitamin E Tocochromanol (Tocopherol and Tocotrienol) in Rice Bran Oils Produced in Japan and Other Countries

In this study, we investigated the compositions of vitamin E tocochromanol [tocopherol (Toc) and tocotrienol (T3)] in crude and refined rice bran oil (RBO) produced in Japan and other countries, including Brazil, Thailand, and Vietnam, based on high-performance liquid chromatography analysis. All RBO analyzed contained α-, β- and γ-Toc and α-, γ- and δ-T3. Japanese crude RBO, although not refined RBO, also contained β-T3. Furthermore, total Toc contents in both Japanese crude and refined oils were found to be higher than those in the crude and refined RBO from other countries. Total T3 contents in Japanese crude RBO were similar to those in the crude RBO from Brazil and Vietnam. The α-Toc and α-T3 contents in Japanese crude and refined RBO were considerably higher than those in the crude and refined RBO produced in other countries, whereas in contrast, γ-Toc and γ-T3 contents in Japanese crude and refined RBO were lower. Consequently, the ratios of total α-Toc and α-T3 contents to total γ-Toc and γ-T3 contents in Japanese crude and refined RBO (1.75 and 1.91, respectively) were notably higher than those in the crude and refined RBO produced in other countries. Similarly, the ratios of total Toc to total T3 in Japanese crude and refined RBO were higher than those in the crude and refined RBO produced in other countries. These results accordingly indicate that the ratio of total α-Toc and α-T3 contents to γ-Toc and γ-T3 contents could be used as an effective index to discriminate between the RBO produced in Japan and that produced in other countries.