Alpha-tocopherol is insoluble in water but soluble in organic solvents Tocopherols are extremely resistant to heat but readily oxidized. Natural vitamin E is subject to destruction by oxidation, which is accelerated by heat, moisture, rancid fat, copper, and iron.
Alpha-tocopherol is an excellent naturally occurring antioxidant that protects carotene and other oxidizable materials in the feed and in the body
This anti-oxidant action links vitamin E with vitamin A metabolism (it is used for the stabilization of vitamin A in foodstuffs), and with that the unsaturated fatty acids. It prevents or slows down the formation of free radicals and hyper peroxides from poly-saturated fatty acids. The decrease in peroxide formation can be considered as a stabilizing effect on cell membranes, containing poly-saturated fatty acids.
alpha-tocopherol exerted a pronounced stimulatory influence on formation of prostaglandin E from arachidonic acid
Selenium is a trace element, reducing tissue peroxides and stimulating immunity response. Interaction with vitamin E is sometimes synergistic and sometimes partially substitutive.