beta-Carotene and alpha-tocopherol are synergistic antioxidants.

The possibility of a cooperative interaction between fat-soluble antioxidants is examined in a membrane model. A combination of beta-carotene and alpha-tocopherol results in an inhibition of lipid peroxidation significantly greater than the sum of the individual inhibitions. Our data provide the first evidence that beta-carotene can act synergistically with alpha-tocopherol as an effective radical-trapping antioxidant in membranes.