Dominance of Δ < sup> 5 -sterols in eight species of the cactaceae

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-1987

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. © 1987.

Publication Title

Phytochemistry

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