Vitamin E concentration in upland cotton seeds

Vitamin E, tocopherol, is a naturally occurring antioxidant that has been i mplicated in human health issues such as decreased risk of cardiovascular d isease and some forms of cancer, improved immune functions, and in slowing the progress of degenerative diseases. Tocopherol affects plant health much as it does human health, i.e., by scavenging free radicals, thus protectin g plant membrane integrity. Tocopherol is a strong antioxidant and increase s oil oxidative stability in cottonseed oil. Little is known about the toco pherol content of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) seed. 'Acala 1517-88' and 'Acala 1517-SR2' are reportedly higher in a-tocopherol than 'Deltapine 50' or 'Stoneville 825.' Objectives of this research were to determine the vari ability in vitamin E content among several current upland cotton genotypes grown during 1997 and 1998 at College Station, TX, and when grown at Colleg e Station and Chillicothe, TX, in 1997. Tocopherol was extracted from cotto n seeds with hexane and levels were determined by HPLC. Years were signific ant for alpha- and delta -tocopherol and location was significant for beta/ gamma -tocopherol. However, no differences were detected among 18 genotypes grown during 1997 and 1998 at College Station nor among 13 genotypes grown at College Station and Chillicothe during 1997.