E308 (Gamma tocopherol) is one of the four isomer components that constitute tocopherol: alpha-tocopherol, beta-tocopherol, delta-tocopherol and/or gamma-tocopherol.

Gamma tocopherol in particular is the main form of tocopherol in many plant seeds and possesses different characteristics to alpha tocopherol. It is better absorbed and metabolized in human tissue and converts DNA-damaging nitrogen dioxide into nitric oxide.

Gamma tocopherol  occurs naturally in cereals, in oils and, in particular in:

• olive oil
• wheat germ oil
• palm oil
• soybean oil
• corn oil
• sunflower oil
• eggs
• butter
• peanuts
• almonds and other dried fruit

It is a fundamental antioxidant and can be created using a synthesis procedure.

What it is used for and where

Medical

Its antioxidant action has effects on the brain (1), when, in the cardiovascular system, there are problems of diabetes caused by LDL cholesterol (2) and in liver diseases (3)

In the medical field it is an adjuvant to treat vascular diseases, as prevention for cellular diseases and for a correct functioning of the immune system.

No positive action, however, was found towards prostate cancer, as demonstrated by this study of very long duration on many samples (4).

Food

Ingredient included in the list of European food additives as E308, antioxidant.

Cosmetics

Antioxidant agent. Ingredient that counteracts oxidative stress and prevents cell damage. Free radicals, pathological inflammatory processes, reactive nitrogen species and reactive oxygen species are responsible for the ageing process and many diseases caused by oxidation.

Fragrance. It plays a decisive and important role in the formulation of cosmetic products as it provides the possibility of enhancing, masking or adding fragrance to the final product, increasing its marketability.  The consumer always expects to find a pleasant or distinctive scent in a cosmetic product.

Skin conditioning agent - Miscellaneous.  This ingredient has the task of modifying the condition of the skin when it is damaged or dry by reducing its flakiness and restoring its elasticity.

Skin conditioning agent - Occlusive. This ingredient has the task of modifying the condition of the skin when it is damaged or dry by reducing flaking and restoring elasticity. It has a strong lipophilic character and is identified as an occlusive ingredient; it is generally composed of oily and fatty materials that remain on the skin surface and reduce trans epidermal water loss.

"Gamma-tocopherol studies"

• Molecular Formula: C₂₈H₄₈O₂
• Molecular Weight: 416.7 g/mol
• CAS: 54-28-4
• EC Number: 200-201-5
• UNII: 8EF1Z1238F
• PubChem Substance ID  24899992
• MDL number    MFCD00066529
• Beilstein Registry Number 93072
• DSSTox ID  DTXSID9049031
• IUPAC  (2R)-2,7,8-trimethyl-2-[(4R,8R)-4,8,12-trimethyltridecyl]-3,4-dihydrochromen-6-ol
• InChl=1S/C28H48O2/c1-20(2)11-8-12-21(3)13-9-14-22(4)15-10-17-28(7)18-16-25-19-26(29)23(5)24(6)27(25)30-28/h19-22,29H,8-18H2,1-7H3/t21-,22-,28-/m1/s1
• InChl Key      QUEDXNHFTDJVIY-DQCZWYHMSA-N
• SMILES  CC1=C(C=C2CCC(OC2=C1C)(C)CCCC(C)CCCC(C)CCCC(C)C)O 
• ChEBI  18185
• Nikkaji   J213.540J  

Synonyms:

• (+)-gamma-Tocopherol
• D-γ-Tocopherol