tocopherol

Term: tocopherol

Literally meaning: “that carries  childbirth”

Origin: Anc Greek

τόκος/tocos (=childbirth) > τίκτω/ticto (=produce, create)

+ φέρω/phero (=carry)

Coined/History 

Tocopherol was discovered in 1922 by American anatomists Herbert McLean Evans (1882-1971) and Katherine Scott Bishop (1882- 1971) during feeding experiments on rats.  They noticed that when rats  fed a purified diet devoid of vitamin E became infertile. Wheat germ oil added the their diet restored their fertility. Tocopherols were later in 1924 called vitamin E, since it was discovered after vitamin D. Synhesis was completed in 1938 by the Swiss chemist Paul Karrer.

Definition

Tocopherol is any of a group  of methylated phenol that constitute fat-soluble vitamin E.  The best sources of vitamin E are the vegetable oils. Tocopherols is been used to treat eye diseases and as antioxidant.