Application Notes:
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
References:
1. K. Phillips et al. “Analysis of Steryl Glucosides in Foods and Dietary Supplements by Solid-Phase Extraction and Gas Chromatography” Journal of Food and Lipids, Vol. 12 pp. 124-140, 2005
2. R. Moreau et al. “Phytosterols, phytostanols, and their conjugates in foods: Structural diversity, quantitative analysis, and health-promoting uses” Prog. Lipid Res. Vol. 41 pp. 457-500, 2002
3. S. Grille et al. “The functions of steryl glycosides come to those who wait: Recent advances in plants, fungi, bacteria and animals” Prog Lipid Res, Vol. 49 pp. 262-288, 2010
4. R. Tabata et al. “Chronic Exposure to Dietary Sterol Glucosides is Neurotoxic to Motor Neurons and Induces an ALS-PDC Phenotype” Neuromolecular Med., Vol. 10(1) pp. 24, 2008
5. S. Usuki et al. “IGF-1 Induction by Acylated Steryl beta-Glucosides Found in a Pre-Germinated Brown Rice Diet Reduces Oxidative Stress in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetes” PLoS ONE, Vol. 6(12) pp. 1-12, 2011