Plant sterols are divided into three categories: 4-non-methylsterol, 4-methylsterol and 4,4'-dimethylsterol, and non-methylsterols mainly include -sitosterol, stigmasterol, rapeseed sterol and rapeseed sterol, etc., mainly existing in the seeds of plants, the structure of plant sterols is basically similar to the structure of animal sterols, the only difference is the number of methyl groups attached to the C-4 position and the difference of the side chain of the C-11 position, it is the slight difference in these side chains that makes it have different physiological functions.
Phytosterol characteristics.
Plant sterols are obtained from corn and soybean after physical purification, and have the characteristics of high nutritional value and strong physiological activity. Plant sterols may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease by lowering cholesterol. It is widely used in food, medicine, cosmetics, animal growth agents and paper processing, printing, textiles and other fields, especially in Europe as a food additive is very common, widely used in food to reduce human cholesterol.
Phytosterols are used to prevent coronary atherosclerotic heart disease, and have obvious curative effects on ulcers, squamous cell carcinoma, cervical cancer, etcIn addition, phytosterols are important raw materials for the production of steroidal drugs and vitamin D3.
Phytosterols have good antioxidant properties and can be used as food additives (antioxidants, nutritional additives);It can also be used as a raw material for animal growth agents to promote animal growth and improve animal health.