Tocopherols are recognised as potent lipophilic antioxidant
compounds. The antioxidant activity of tocopherols in lipids follows
this order: c > d > a > b (Schmidt & Pokorny´ , 2005). The significant
quantities of c- and d-tocopherols found in SI seeds
constitute an antioxidant protection factor for the seed and oil rich
in PUFAs, if proper extraction techniques are used as to maximise
tocopherol recovery. The presence of important quantities of PUFA,
in particular a-linolenic FA in SI seeds could be associated to an
important tocopherol synthesis (mainly the c- and d isomers) as
a defense mechanism against oxidative processes. For flaxseed oil
rich in a-linolenic FA, Bozan and Tenelli (2008) reported that the
high degree of insaturation of the oil was responsible for the higher
tocopherol content (especially c-tocopherols) compared to safflower
seed oil which presented a lower tocopherol content and
similar PUFA content (mainly linoleic FA). High amounts of