The distribution of tocopherols during the life‐cycle of some plants

A study has been made of the tocopherol contents of the maize, wheat, barley and pea plants. The four plants have been germinated from seed in the laboratory and grown to maturity under field conditions. Using two‐dimensional paper chromatography, detailed tocopherol patterns have been established at different stages of the life‐history of each plant. The young growing plants all synthesise predominantly α‐tocopherol, whereas non‐α‐tocopherols are mainly specific products of the seeds. Theoretical implications and synthetic mechanisms are discussed and lead to the conclusion that the tocopherols are interconvertible in plants.