Healthy Life Oil | What are the functions and applications of plant sterols?

Phytosterols have many physiological functions, such as immune regulation, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic, lowering blood lipids and cholesterol, reducing arteriosclerosis damage, scavenging free radicals, skin care and inhibiting cancer cell proliferation. As a food additive, it is both nutritious and antioxidant. Adding it to animal feed can promote animal growth. Sterols in rapeseed, as a plant hormone, can promote the growth of vegetables and crops. Because phytosterols have the effects of skin moisturizing, inhibiting dermatitis, sun protection, and anti-aging, they are widely used in cosmetics.

Phytosterols are similar in structure to animal and human cholesterol and are essential components for stabilizing plant cell membranes. There are many types of natural phytosterols, which are mainly divided into free and esterified types. Free phytosterols are mainly found in nuts and beans, while esterified phytosterols are mainly found in cereal foods. Phytosterols are usually derived from vegetable oils and processing byproducts, grains and grain processing byproducts, nuts, etc. Each kilogram of natural vegetable oil contains 1 to 5 grams of phytosterols.

Phytosterol esters are esterified plant sterols. They have increased fat solubility and are more easily dissolved in oil products, which improves the effectiveness of sterols and expands the scope of application. Phytosterol esters have been widely used in dairy products, cream, health products and personal care products. For example, when producing DHA and EPA fish oil products that are easily oxidized, adding plant sterol esters can extend the shelf life and is more beneficial to health than traditional chemical synthetic antioxidants.