Stigmasterol, a plant sterol, is among the most abundant of plant sterols, having a major function to maintain the structure and physiology of cell membranes. Technically, stigmasterol is a phytosterol with the molecular formula C29H48O and a molecular weight of about 412.7 g mol, commonly referenced under CAS 83-48-7. It is a tetracyclic sterol with a characteristic double bond in the side chain that affects its physicochemical behavior. Typical physical properties include a high melting point (commonly reported in the 160 to 170 degrees C range), very low water solubility and good solubility in organic solvents such as ethanol, chloroform and acetone. Analytical identification and purity assessment are routinely performed by gas chromatography with flame ionization detection or mass spectrometric confirmation, high performance liquid chromatography, infrared spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance. Stigmasterol is isolated from plant sources such as seed oils and sterol-rich botanical fractions and is used as a raw material or intermediate in research, formulation and chemical conversion workflows.
Parent: Stigmasterol
Commercial and lab grade stigmasterol is typically specified by assay and by profile of related sterols. Typical assay by GC or HPLC is greater than or equal to 95 percent w w, with total related sterols and other organic impurities commonly limited to 5 percent maximum. Typical impurity and related compound distribution when present is beta sitosterol 1 to 3 percent, campesterol 0.5 to 1.5 percent, brassicasterol 0.1 to 0.5 percent and other sterols or steroidal contaminants in trace amounts, each generally less than 0.2 to 0.5 percent. Residual solvents, heavy metals and moisture are controlled per applicable pharmacopeial or customer specifications, for example residual solvents conforming to ICH class limits, heavy metals below established ppm thresholds and moisture typically below 1 to 3 percent depending on packaging and grade. Identification of specific impurities is commonly confirmed by GC-MS or LC-MS and quantified by validated chromatographic methods.
Stigmasterol is used as a plant derived sterol for research, as an intermediate in steroid synthesis and chemical transformations, and as an ingredient in formulations in cosmetics and nutraceuticals. It is also studied for effects on membrane biophysics and as a component in sterol-enriched botanical extracts.
Stigmasterol and sitosterol are both phytosterols with very similar steroid cores; the primary difference is their side chain unsaturation and small structural variations. Stigmasterol has an additional double bond in the side chain compared with beta sitosterol, which leads to slightly different melting behavior, chromatographic retention and biological interactions. Analytical methods such as GC or LC with appropriate standards provide clear separation and quantitation of the two compounds.
Stigmasterol is a sterol, a subclass of steroids. It shares the tetracyclic sterane core that defines steroids, but it is specifically a plant derived sterol with a hydroxyl group at the 3 position and characteristic side chain features that distinguish it from animal steroids.
