Esterified Steryl Glucosides

This product contains a mixture of esterified steryl glucosides composed of beta-sitosteryl glucoside, beta-campesteryl glucoside and beta-stigmasteryl glucoside. Steryl glucosides are one of several common phytosterol lipid classes found in vegetable oil and other plant materials and a significant amount of the sterols that are present in dietary foods originate from steryl glucosides.1 During the production of biodiesel some of the esterified steryl glucosides are esterified, making them less soluble, and both forms cause a problem in biodiesel fuel by clogging fuel filters. Sterols have demonstrated cholesterol lowering, anticarcinogenic, and immune-modulating properties.2 Steryl glycosides and esterified steryl glycosides serve as membrane components, storage forms of sterols, transporters, and signaling molecules in plants.3 A report has indicated that steryl glucosides are neurotoxic to motor neurons and are the main contributor to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-parkinsonism dementia complex manifested by the consumption of cycad seeds.4 Esterified steryl glucosides are activators of two enzymes related to diabetes and affect pancreatic beta-cells, suggesting that they could have an important role in treating diabetes.5 Composition: Sterol:glucose:fatty acid in a molar ratio of 1:1:1Sitosterol (major), Campesterol, Stigmasterol