Dominance of Δ5-sterols in eight species of the cactaceae

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1987

Department

Department of Biological Sciences

Abstract

The sterols from eight species in seven genera of the Cactaceae are 24-alkyl-Δ5-sterols. In all eight species, Echinopsis tubiflora, Pereskia aculeata, Hylocereus undatus, Notocactus scopa, Epiphyllum sp., Schlumbergera bridgesii, Opuntia comonduensis and O. humifusa, the dominant sterol is sitosterol (24α-ethylcholest-5-en-3β-ol) at 66-87% of the total sterol composition with the 24ξ-methylcholest-5-en-3β-ol present at 8-33%. Stigmasterol (24α-ethylcholesta-5,22E-dien-3β-ol) is present at 2-8% of the total sterol in P. aculeata, H. undatus, N. scopa and Epiphyllum sp. whereas cholesterol (cholest-5-en-3β-ol) is present in six species at levels of < 0.1-5.0%. Avenasterol (24-ethylcholesta-7,24(28)Z-dien-3/gb-ol) and sitostanol (24α-ethyl-5α-cholestan-3β-ol) are each present in two species.

Publication Title

Phytochemistry

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