Source Of Phytosterols Research Articles

Pine nut skin as a source of phytosterols and alkanediols - Hypocholesterolemic potential and development of sustainable vegan emulsifiers

Pine nut skin is a byproduct arising from the pine nut industry, whose composition and bioactive potential are currently unexplored. For this purpose, its characterization is required for the development of sustainable food ingredients.Pine nut skin was separated into finer (<500 μm) and coarser (≥500 μm) fractions, composed of carbohydrates (35 g/100 g and 11 g/100 g, respectively), lignin (47 g/100 g and 72 g/100 g), lipids (8 g/100 g and 9 g/100 g), and protein (7 g/100 g and 3 g/100 g). The lipophilic extract of both fractions had similar amounts of β-sitosterol (30 mg/g), differing in the amount of long-chain aliphatic alcohols, namely nonacosan-10-ol (8 mg/g and 51 mg/g for finer and coarser fractions, respectively) and secondary/secondary alkanediols (18 mg/g and 185 mg/g), known as emulsifier compounds. The composition of pine nut skin fractions indicated their potential in affecting the cholesterol absorption in the intestinal lumen. The lipophilic extract from the finer fraction showed to decrease cholesterol micellar solubilization, and the polysaccharides and lignin had bile salt sequestration properties, rendering this byproduct an hypolipidemic potential. The coarser fraction showed potential as a substitute of egg yolk (3.4 g/100 g dry weight) in a mayonnaise formulation (49 g/100 g oil-in-water emulsion), an emulsifying capacity ascribed to the dietary fiber content and to its lipophilic fraction. From pine nut skin it is possible to obtain low-cost food ingredients with relevance as emulsifiers and potential hypocholesterolemic activity.

Оптимизация процесса омыления таллового пека методом планирования эксперимента

Sustainable recycling of wood chemical production wastes is one of the current issues of modern technology. As a by-product of the pulp and paper industry, tall oil pitch has found application as a potential source of phytosterols. Phytosterols or plant sterols are natural compounds, polycyclic alcohols structurally similar to steroids. Due to their biological activity, phytosterols are used in such areas as pharmaceutics and cosmetology, as functional products, etc., which makes them commercially attractive. This paper considers the stage of saponification of tall oil pitch, which yields free phytosterols from their esters with fatty and resin acids. A central composite design complemented by six star points was chosen to determine the combined effect of the three factors and to plan the minimum number of experiments; the response surface methodology was used to determine the optimal values of the variables. Regression models showing the impact of the basic technological factors (excess alkali, temperature and duration of saponification) on the degree of saponification of phytosterols in saponified tall oil pitch and esters in the obtained extract were developed based on the experimental data. A statistical analysis of the models was carried out. Their validity has been proved by means of analysis of variance. The experimental and predicted values closely correlated. The developed mathematical models in the regression polynomial form enable to find the optimal values of the input process variables using the Minitab software while simultaneously reaching the maximum degree of saponification (98,1 %) with the minimum value of the ether number in the extract (4 mg KOH/g): saponification temperature – 121.7 °C, process duration – 3.18 h, and excess alkali – 100 %. Thus, reliable models for predicting the degree of saponification of phytosterols and the ester number in the extract were obtained. These models can be used in industrial saponification of tall oil pitch. For citation: Korshunov A.O., Lavrenteva E.A., Lazarev M.A., Radbil’ A.B. Optimization of Tall Oil Pitch Saponification by Experimental Design. Lesnoy Zhurnal [Russian Forestry Journal], 2022, no. 1, pp. 173–187. DOI: 10.37482/0536-1036-2022-1-173-187

Fabrication and Characterization of Persea Gratissima Oil Loaded Chitosan Nanoparticles and Investigation of Its Neuroprotective Effects

Persea gratissima known as avocado is a valuable plant. P. gratissima (PgO) oil is used in traditional medicine to treat several health problems because of its numerous biological properties. P. gratissima is a source of phytosterols and has effects as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and neuroprotective activities for in vitro and in vivo models. The aim of this study is to synthesize and characterize the PgO loaded chitosan nanoparticles and investigate the neuroprotective effects in vitro. According to neuroprotective effects, we prepared nanocapsulation of P. gratissima with chitosan using by ionic gelation method. Mitochondrial activity of P. gratissima, chitosan nanoparticles and PgO loaded chitosan nanoparticles were investigated by XTT method on SH-SY5Y and L929 cell lines comparatively. Obtained results showed that PgO loaded chitosan nanoparticles have a proliferative effect for SH-SY5Y cell line as a neuroprotective agent and no side effect for both SH-SY5Y and L929 cell lines. In conclusion PgO loaded chitosan nanoparticles are promising for neural regeneration and candidate for further in vitro and in vivo evaluation as a potential neurodegenerative disease drug formula.

Agro-industrial waste seeds from Peruvian Pouteria lucuma as new source of phytosterols

Pouteria lucuma fruit is commonly used to prepare desserts, but it is also sold as pulp or flour. Then, huge amounts of its seeds are produced as agro-industrial waste, frequently eliminated. This study aims at analyzing the presence of all metabolites in Pouteria lucuma seed oil (LSO) by GC-MS and GC-FID. Several compounds were tentatively identified, such as fatty acids, fatty alcohols, carotenes, phytosterols and tocopherols from LSO. A representative result was the high amount of β-sitosterol with 851.49 ± 1.29 mg/100 g of LSO, followed by stigmasterol with 75.42 ± 1.02 mg/100 g. Fatty acids with the highest content were oleic acid (13.57 ± 1.50 g/100 g of LSO), 9E-octadecenoic acid (6.85 ± 1.15 g/100 g of LSO), palmitic acid (5.44 ± 1.18 g/100 g of LSO) and stearic acid (2.12 ± 1.03 g/100 g of LSO). Therefore, metabolites tentatively identified in Pouteria lucuma seed oil have been linked to healthy properties based on a high amount of β-sitosterol present. This evidence could determine this agro-industrial waste with having beneficial properties, thus providing great added value.

Production of phytosterols mix from palm fatty acid distillate (PFAD) through multi-staged extraction processes

Phytosterols is one of bio-active compounds that naturally present in vegetable oils and its by-products or derivatives. The source of phytosterols can be in the form of by-product that generated during the extraction of vitamin E and in this study known as phytosterols resources (PSR). Vitamin E (tocopherols and tocotrienols) extracted from the palm fatty acid distillate (PFAD) produces solid by-product containing 2–4% (w/w) sterols. However, there are no suitable extraction and purification processes developed to exploit these compounds. Therefore, the extraction of phytosterols from PFAD by-product in a mini-pilot scale involving multistage extraction processes, which are solid-liquid extraction, saponification, liquid-liquid extraction and crystallization was developed. Phytosterols was recovered from the extraction and purification processes were of more than 80% purity and 80% yield, composed of ☐-sitosterol (21-22%), campesterol (13-20%) and stigmasterol (59–64%). In conclusion, this extraction process is technically feasible to extract and produce crude phytosterols from a byproduct of the PFAD processing.

ISOLATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF PHYTOSTEROLS FROM BIGNONIA VENUSTA (L.)

Objective: To isolate phytosterols from Bignonia venusta (L.) and its antimicrobial activity.&#x0D; Introduction: B. venusta is an important medicinal plant known for its vast potential. It is a valuable plant which is commonly used in traditionalsystem of medicine for relieving pain and inflammation, as well as in a number of metabolic disorders such as diabetes and obesity.&#x0D; Methods: In the present study, phytosterols from B. venusta was identified and quantified in vivo. Phytosterols were identified using chromatographic and spectral studies.&#x0D; Results: Trimethyl (3,3-difluoro-2-propenyl) silane, butanoic acid, 3-methyl-3-nitroso-, methyl ester, peroxide, dibutyl, and 1,2-epoxy-5,5-dimethyl1-phenyl-3-hexyne were identified by infrared and gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). GC-MS profiling showed various compounds. It is the first report on phytosterols from the experimental plant. Further, we studied antimicrobial potential of isolated compounds against clinically important microbes.&#x0D; Conclusion: B. venusta (L.) is an ideal source of phytosterols and act as antimicrobial agent

Sterol Composition of Blue Mussels Fed Algae and Effluent Diets from Finfish Culture

ABSTRACT Mussels are an excellent source of phytosterols, which have many health benefits including reduction of the level of cholesterol in the blood. This study examined free sterols in cultivated blue mussels obtained commercially and from laboratory feeding experiments. Mussels were fed algae or the effluent from cultured finfish for 6 mo, and others remained unfed for 10 wk. Mussels feeding on effluent is of interest for integrated multitrophic aquaculture. Fish waste-fed mussels had significantly higher cholesterol concentrations (710 mg/kg) compared with algae-fed mussels (409 mg/kg) and locally cultivated ones (321 mg/kg). Algae-fed mussels had significantly higher campesterol compared with locally cultivated and fish waste-fed mussels. In algae-fed mussels, 24-nordeydrocholesterol decreased significantly, and in fish waste-fed mussels, the concentration of 24-methylenecholesterol decreased significantly. In fish waste-fed mussels, the cholesterol proportion was 50.9% of total sterols and other be...

Natural variability in phytosterols in almond (Prunus amygdalus) trees growing under a southern Mediterranean climate

SUMMARYAlmond (Prunus amygdalus) kernels are an important source of phytosterols that are considered essential elements for human health. Little information is available on the variability and composition of phytosterols in cultivated almond, and there is no information on wild almond such as those that have originated in Morocco. High levels of variability in phytosterol concentrations were found among 23 accessions of Moroccan almond, ranging from 1,174–2,072 mg kg−1 kernel dry weight, and from 2,184–3,582 mg kg−1 for oil phytosterol, within the ranges published for other almond genotypes. Major components of the phytosterol fraction were β-sitosterol [55.9–84.6% (w/w)] and ▵5-avenasterol [8.5–28.2% (w/w)]. Significant differences in phytosterol concentrations and compositions were observed between almond seedlings as well as between almonds of different geographical origin, possibly due to a positive effect of higher temperatures. Some genotypes, such as Al4 with high concentrations of phytosterols (3,582 mg kg−1 of oil phytosterol) could be used as parents in almond breeding programmes to add value to local products, and to improve human health.

Distribution and sources of phytosterols in coastal and river sediments of south central Chile

Phytosterols are potential endocrine-disrupting compounds. Quantification of phytosterols was carried out in sediments from four coastal zones and two rivers in south-central Chile. Sterol concentrations were determined by capillary gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and the sources of sedimentary organic matter were determined using sterol ratios and lipid biomarkers. Total sterol concentrations (0.03 to 10.4 µg g -1 ) were within the range reported for other marine ecosystems and the β-sitosterol concentration (0.01 to 2.01 µg g -1 ) was lower than previously reported for the upwelling system off Peru. Some coastal stations adjacent to the rivers had β-sitosterol of terrestrial origin. High concentrations of β-sitosterol were also found in sediments from more oceanic stations, supporting the notion that this sterol can also be produced by phytoplankton. No differences in the sterol concentration between the coastal zones were found. However, significant differences were found between almost all coastal zones and both rivers, and between rivers. At the station level and using different biomarkers of the source of organic matter, some areas were found to have a clear terrestrial influence; whereby it is assumed that the source of the phytosterols (especially β-sitosterol) would be vascular plants. The BioBio River and its mouth have a wide variety of sterols and lipids and high levels of cholesterol and epicholestanol, which is possibly related to the presence of domestic effluents derived from large cities. No clear spatial pattern emerge between the location of pulp mill industries and β-sitosterol sediment concentration, with the exception of one station located in the Gulf of Arauco.

Plant Sterols and Tocols Profile of Vegetable Oils Consumed in Egypt

The aim of this study was to quantify specific phytosterols/-stanols (campesterol, β-sitosterol, stigmasterol, β-sitostanol, and campestanol) and tocols (tocopherol and tocotrienol) in the vegetable oils (corn oil, sunflower oil, blended oil, and palm oil) available in the Egyptian market. Gas-liquid chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography procedures were applied to 12 vegetable oils. The best source of phytosterols was the corn oil (4814 μg/g oil) samples while palm oil samples had the lowest phytosterols level (660 μg/g). The mean value of total phytosterols was 2872 and 3443 μg/g for sunflower and blended oil samples, respectively. β-Sitosterol was the dominant phytosterol (ca. 70% of the total phytosterols), followed by campesterol (ca. 16%) and stigmasterol (ca. 9.4%), while β-sitostanol and campestanol were detected in some oils in small amounts or traces. The levels of mean total tocols in corn, sunflower, blended, and palm oil samples were 891.4, 716.1, 707.5, and 311.8 μg/g, respectively. In sunflower and blended oil samples, α-tocopherol was the main tocol, which accounted for more than 80% of total tocols, while α-tocopherol was found in lower levels in corn and palm oils accounting for ca. 40% of total tocols.

Phytosterols from Dunaliella tertiolecta and Dunaliella salina: A potentially novel industrial application

Sterols have been extracted and analysed from Dunaliella tertiolecta and Dunaliella salina, in order to evaluate a potentially novel industrial exploitation of these microalgae as source of phytosterols. The effect of salt concentration on sterols yields has been studied varying the quantities of NaCl into culture medium. Twelve sterols were identified by Gas-chromatographic MS/MS analysis for both algal strains. The most abundant phytosterols were (22 E,24 R)-methylcholesta-5,7,22-trien-3 β-ol (ergosterol) and (22 E,24 R)-ethylcholesta-5,7,22-trien-3 β-ol (7-dehydroporiferasterol). The whole sterol fraction consisted mainly of phytosterols (C 28 and C 29 sterols). Good yields of total sterols were achieved at lower salt concentration (1.3% and 0.89% of dry weight in D. tertiolecta and D. salina, respectively, at 0.6 M NaCl), while an increase in salt concentration resulted in a significant decrease in total sterols yield.

Foods fortified with phytosterins: their role in decreasing the cholesterol level in serum, their Community authorization and requirements for placing them to the market

Phytosterols are isoprene compounds that may be found in a great variety of different food products. The most important phytosterol compounds are β-sitosterol, campesterol and stigmasterol. Plant sources of phytosterols are oily seeds, nuts, plant oils, grains, and pulses. Many controlled clinical studies have demonstrated their ability to reduce blood cholesterol levels in hyper- and normocholesterolaemic subjects. Investigators report that phytosterol intakes of 2 to 3 g/d reduce low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels by about 7–11% in human subjects, while LDL and TG levels do not change. Phytosterol intake higher than 3 g daily does not result in higher decrease of LDL level, but about consumption of 8.6 g per day does not have any detrimental effect on human health. A documented side effect of elevated phytosterol intake is the reduced level of certain carotenoids in sera but this effect can be balanced by increased consumption of fruits and vegetables rich in carotenoids. Subjects having hereditary sitosterolemia are highly advised to refrain from consuming foods supplemented with phytosterols. While dietary intake of phytosterols is too low to achieve significant reduce of cholesterol level, based on the Community legislation of 258/97/EC regulation related to novel foods and novel food ingredients, the European Union authorized to use phytosterols in certain food products at a concentration which resulted in a daily phytosterol intake less than 3 g. A European survey of the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) shows that only 10-15% of the population consume foods supplemented with phytosterols, and phytosterol intake is less than the effective dose. Based on this survey it is supposed that the risk of phytosterols overdose is low. EFSA also stated that – based on the relevant scientific information – regular intake of foods supplemented with phytosterols/phytostanols is in significant correlation with reduced serum cholesterol level. Based on this statement, authorized foods supplemented with phytosterols will be the first food group legally having health claim for reduced risk of disease since the new Community legislation on nutritional and health claim on foods 1924/2006/EC exists. Consumers will have a scientifically substantiated health claim on the label of these foods: “Plant sterols/stanols have been shown to lower/reduce blood cholesterol. Blood cholesterol lowering may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.”

Phytosterols in cereal by‐products

AbstractPhytosterols are hypocholesterolemic. Like corn fiber oil, the lipid extracts of certain cereal by‐products may be rich sources of these health‐promoting compounds. The objective of this research was to examine the phytosterol content and composition of various cereal by‐products. Total lipids in rice bran, wheat bran, wheat germ, durum wheat (bran and germ mixture), oat bran, oat hull, and corn fine fiber were extracted, and the sterol profiles of the extracted lipids were analyzed by GC. Rice bran contained the most lipids (22.2%), followed by wheat germ, durum wheat, oat bran, wheat bran, and oat hull; corn fine fiber contained the least amount of lipids (1.7%). Sitosterol, campesterol, and stigmasterol were the major phytosterols in these lipid extracts, whereas brassicasterol was detected only in wheat samples. Rice bran oil contained considerable amounts of cycloartenol and 24‐methylenecycloartanol, which were unique to these samples. Total sterol concentrations in extracted lipids were similar for rice bran, wheat bran, wheat germ, and durum wheat (21.3–15.1 mg/g), but they were very low in oat bran lipids and oat hull lipids (3.4 and 8.2 mg/g, respectively). Corn fine fiber lipids contained the highest amount of sterols (48.3 mg/g). Rice bran appears to be the best source of phytosterols, with the highest oil content and high concentration of sterols.

Exposure of Reproductively Maturing Rainbow Trout to a New Zealand Pulp and Paper Mill Effluent

Long-term studies on the reproductive fitness of fish under controlled exposure conditions are necessary to address some of the controversy surrounding the field-based studies of pulp and paper effluent effects. This study undertook effluent exposures of 2+ age rainbow trout that were approximately halfway through gonadal growth. Trout were exposed to a mixed thermomechanical/bleached kraft effluent in 12,000-L flow-through exposure tanks at an environmental research facility located at a pulp and paper mill in Kawerau, New Zealand. Trout were exposed to either upstream river water or 10% effluent in upstream river water and were maintained at a ration of 0.7% of body wet weight during the experiment. Results of the 2-month study indicated that trout survival was not significantly different between effluent-exposed tanks and reference tanks. There was extensive growth during the exposure but no differences were found due to effluent exposure. Gonadal development was not significantly different between treatments. Steroid hormone concentrations in males and females were not affected by effluent exposure. The effluent showed no potential to be estrogenic as indicated by a lack of vitellogenin induction in male trout. Other physiological indicators of energy storage and utilization also showed no significant differences. Modest induction of hepatic 7-ethoxyresorufin-O-deethylase (2.5-fold) was the only detectable biological effect of the exposure. Biliary concentration of effluent-related compounds were typical of pulp mill effluent exposure and further suggested that the source of phytosterols was in fact dietary and not effluent-derived.