Routine assay for determination of alpha-tocopherol in liver

A rapid and accurate procedure for determination of alpha-tocopherol in liver has been developed. Extracts of saponified liver homogenates were purified by a simple and efficient chromatography step on Kieselgel. alpha-Tocopherol content of the purified extracts was determined by an automated gas--liquid chromatographic assay of the trimethylsilyl derivatives. Mean recovery for alpha-tocopherol added in vitro was 95.4 +/- 1.2% (SEM, 149 estimations). The lower assay limit was ca. 0.5 micrograms alpha-tocopherol/g liver. An experienced analyst was able to process at least 12 chick, rat, or geuinea pig livers per day.