Modulated phases of phospholipid bilayers induced by tocopherols

► Phase behavior of DPPC-tocopherol membranes is similar to that of DPPC-cholesterol membranes. ► Tocopherols induce a modulated phase in DPPC membranes below the main-transition. ► Tocopherols are not as efficient as cholesterol in inducing chain ordering in DPPC membranes. ► Tocopherols abolish the pre-transition of DPPC membranes over a narrow composition range around 10 mol%.