How do plant stanols and sterols manage cardiovascular disease?5 answersPlant stanols and sterols play a crucial role in managing cardiovascular disease by effectively lowering blood cholesterol levels. These compounds, found in functional foods and supplements, have been shown to reduce LDL-cholesterol concentrations by about 10-15% when consumed in recommended amounts. By inhibiting cholesterol absorption in the intestines and promoting cholesterol excretion, plant stanols and sterols help prevent the progression of atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases. Despite their cholesterol-lowering benefits, concerns have been raised regarding the atherogenic potential of plant sterols. Therefore, while these compounds are recommended as an adjunct to lifestyle modifications for managing cholesterol levels, further research, including randomized controlled trials, is needed to fully understand their impact on cardiovascular outcomes.
How does phytosterol can be extracted from microorganisms and having functionality as anti cancer?5 answersPhytosterols can be extracted from microorganisms like cyanobacteria and Mycobacterium sp. through various methods. These microorganisms have shown the potential to produce phytosterol-rich extracts with neuroprotective properties, making them valuable for health-related applications. Additionally, the use of deodorized distillate of vegetable fat in microbial fermentation processes has been proposed as a method to produce phytosterols, simplifying the production process and reducing costs. Phytosterols have been recognized for their anti-cancer properties among other health benefits, making them valuable compounds for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical industries. The bioactive potential of phytosterol-rich extracts from microorganisms can be harnessed for their anti-cancer effects, contributing to their functionality in combating cancer.
Can injected phytosterols act as endocrine disruptors?4 answersInjected phytosterols can potentially act as endocrine disruptors. Phytosterols are natural compounds found in plants and are consumed by the general population to lower cholesterol levels. The study on European polecats showed that phytosterols increased plasma estradiol and thyroid hormone levels, while decreasing plasma ghrelin levels. These effects indicate that phytosterols can have an impact on the endocrine system. However, it is important to note that the definition of endocrine disruptors is broad and includes substances that cause changes in endocrine function leading to adverse effects. Therefore, further research is needed to fully understand the potential endocrine-disrupting effects of injected phytosterols.
Which analytical methods are suitable for phytosterols?5 answersAnalytical methods suitable for phytosterols include gas chromatography (GC) after derivatization, liquid chromatography (LC), and mass spectrometry (MS). GC coupled with flame ionization detection can be used for phytosterol analysis in rice products. LC-MS has the potential to simplify the analysis by eliminating the need for derivatization, which is usually required for GC-MS. HPLC analyses of phytosterols can be improved through chemical derivatization using dansyl chloride as a derivatizing agent. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) coupled with chemometric techniques can also be used for rapid and non-destructive analysis of phytosterols in vegetable oils.
Which methods are used to analyse phytosterols in oil?5 answersGas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) is a commonly used method for the analysis of phytosterols in oil. Other methods include high temperature gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HTGC-MS)and liquid chromatography (HPLC). Solid phase extraction (SPE) is often used as a sample preparation technique in combination with GC-MS or SPE-GC for the simultaneous analysis of phytosterols in oil. Derivatization is also employed in some methods, where the phytosterols are converted into trimethylsilyl ethers before analysis by GC-MS. The Folch method is considered to be the optimal method for extracting free/combined phytosterols from rapeseed and rapeseed cake. Overall, a combination of different techniques such as GC-MS, HTGC-MS, HPLC, SPE, and derivatization are used for the analysis of phytosterols in oil.
Which foods have the highest phytosterols per gram?5 answersPhytosterols are compounds known for their cholesterol-lowering effects. Based on the abstracts provided, vegetable oils have the highest phytosterol content per gram, followed by legumes, nuts, and cereals. In terms of specific phytosterols, β-sitosterol, campesterol, and stigmasterol are the most predominant in these foods. Additionally, milk fortified with phytosterols can also have high phytosterol content, depending on the feeding regime of the cattle. However, the phytosterol content in milk is comparatively insignificant compared to other food sources. It is worth noting that the phytosterol content in foods can be influenced by factors such as heating temperature and time, the chemical form of phytosterols added, and the food matrix itself.