Co-occurrence of °5- and °7-sterols in two gleditsia species. A reassessment of the sterol composition in oils rich in °7 -sterols

Abstract

The composition of the sterol fraction of Gleditsia triacanthos, G. macracantha, Thea sinensis, Medicago sativa and Spinacia oleracea has been determined using GC and GC/MS. The sum of δ7-sterols ranges from 67 to 95%. Among them 24ξ-ethyl-5α-cholest-7,trans-22-dien-3β-ol (28-50%) and 24ξ-ethyl-5α-cholest-7-en-3β-ol (23-49%) are the major components. The co-occurrence of δ5- and δ7-sterols has been observed in all species. The possible biosynthetic pathway of the phytosterol nucleus leading to these sterols is discussed. © 1984.