Phytosterol esters synthesis

Phytosterols (PS) are plant sterols or stands found in plants. Plant sterols belong to the triterpene family and differ from cholesterol by having a methyl or ethyl group in C24. Plant stanols, on the other hand, are the saturated form of the plant sterols (Fig. 113.1). PS are present in free or conjugated form as fatty-acyl esters, hydroxycinnamate steryl esters, steryl glycosides, or acylated steryl glycosides. The main function of plant sterols/stanols is to stabilize plant membranes and serve as precursors in the synthesis of steroidal saponins, alkaloids, and other steroids [1]. 

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