Tocopherol

Tocopherols (or TCP) are a class of chemical compounds of which many have vitamin E activity. It is a series of organic compounds consisting of various methylated phenols. Because the vitamin activity was first identified in 1936 from a dietary fertility factor in rats, it was given the name "tocopherol" from the Greek words "τόκος", and "φέρειν", meaning in sum "to carry a pregnancy," with the ending "-ol" signifying its status as a chemical alcohol.