beta-sitosterol
Also known as β-sitosterol, 5-Cholesten-24-beta-ethyl-3-beta-ol, 3beta-Hydroxy-24-ethylcholest-5-ene, 24-Ethylcholesterol, β-Sitosterol
β-Sitosterol (beta-sitosterol) is one of several phytosterols (plant sterols) with chemical structures similar to that of cholesterol. It is a white, waxy powder with a characteristic odor, and is one of the components of the food additive E499. Phytosterols are hydrophobic and soluble in alcohols.
Wikidata facts
- Mass
- 414.386166
Show 4 more facts
- chemical formula
- C₂₉H₅₀O
- canonical SMILES
- CCC(CCC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)O)C)C)C(C)C
- isomeric SMILES
- CC[C@H](CC[C@@H](C)[C@H]1CC[C@H]2[C@@H]3CC=C4C[C@@H](O)CC[C@]4(C)[C@H]3CC[C@@]21C)C(C)C
- Commons category
- Sitosterol
~6 min read
Article
10 sectionsContents
- Natural occurrences and food
- Human research
- Genetic disorder
- Precursor of anabolic steroid boldenone
- Chemistry
- Chemical engineering
- Synthesis
- Biosynthesis
- See also
- References
β-Sitosterol (beta-sitosterol) is one of several phytosterols (plant sterols) with chemical structures similar to that of cholesterol. It is a white, waxy powder with a characteristic odor, and is one of the components of the food additive E499. Phytosterols are hydrophobic and soluble in alcohols.
==Natural occurrences and food== β-Sitosterol is widely distributed in the plant kingdom. It is found in vegetable oil, nuts, avocados, and derived prepared foods such as salad dressings. Olavius algarvensis, a species of marine annelid, predominantly incorporate β-sitosterol into their cell membranes instead of cholesterol, though cholesterol is also present in said membranes.