Methylsterol compositions of 19 vegetable oils

Abstract

Abstract The unsaponifiables from 19 vegetable oils were divided into 4‐methylsterol fraction, triterpene alcohol fraction and two other fractions by thin layer chromatography. The 4‐methylsterol and triterpene alcohol fractions were analyzed by gas liquid chromatography, and identification of major components was carried out by gas liquid chromatography and combined gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry. Gramisterol(24‐methylenelophenol), citrostadienol and obtusifoliol were present in all oils, and the presence of a 4‐methylsterol, presumably cycloeucalenol, was indicated in most of the oils. Cycloartenol and 24‐methylenecycloartanol were found as common triterpene alcohols in all oils, and the occurrence of cyclobranol(24‐methylcycloartenol), cycloartanol, and α‐ and β‐amyrins was demonstrated in most of the oils.