Phytosterol

Product Overview

Phytosterol is derived from corn and soybeans through physical separation and spray-drying techniques. It is a white crystalline powder with good flowability and a particle size of 80-100 mesh. Phytosterol is insoluble in water, alkalis, and acids, slightly soluble in acetone and ethanol at room temperature, and soluble in ether, benzene, chloroform, ethyl acetate, carbon disulfide, and petroleum ether. It is widely used in various food industries, including functional foods, powdered drinks, tablets, meal replacement powders, beverages, and chewable tablets.

Phytosterols, also known as plant sterols, are plant-derived steroid compounds. Key components include sitosterol, campesterol, stigmasterol, and their corresponding alkanols. These compounds share a cyclopentanoperhydrophenanthrene structure and differ from cholesterol by having additional side chains at C24. For instance, sitosterol has an ethyl group at C24, campesterol has a methyl group, and stigmasterol has a double bond at C22. Plant-based foods rich in phytosterols include vegetable oils, nuts, and legumes. Among vegetable oils, corn germ oil has the highest phytosterol content, followed by sesame oil. Among nuts, pistachios are the richest, followed by black sesame seeds. In legumes, soybeans have the highest content, followed by green peas. Vegetables, fruits, and tubers generally have lower levels of phytosterols.

Production Process

Produced using soybean oil or other plant oil fractions or tallow oil through saponification, extraction, and crystallization processes.

Benefits and Effects

Phytosterol, derived from corn and soybeans, has high nutritional value. It offers anti-inflammatory effects, promotes hair growth, acts as an antioxidant, enhances skin metabolism, and reduces skin inflammation. It can help with ulcers, skin cancer, cervical cancer, high cholesterol, and coronary artery disease. Phytosterol also promotes wound healing, enhances capillary circulation, and prevents gallstone formation. Additionally, it can prevent skin aging and sunburn.

Phytosterol has strong anti-inflammatory properties and helps inhibit cholesterol absorption, promote cholesterol degradation, and suppress cholesterol biosynthesis.

It is used to prevent and treat coronary artery disease, and shows significant efficacy in treating ulcers, skin cancer, and cervical cancer. It promotes wound healing, muscle growth, and enhances capillary circulation; it also acts as a gallstone formation inhibitor.

Phytosterol is an important raw material for steroid drugs and vitamin D3 production. The FDA provides specific labeling guidelines for phytosterol esters, stating that "each serving contains at least 0.65g of phytosterol esters, to be taken twice daily with other low saturated fat, low cholesterol diets, with a total daily intake of no less than 1.3g of phytosterol esters to reduce heart disease risk."

Phytosterol has high skin penetration, helps maintain skin moisture, promotes skin metabolism, and reduces skin inflammation. It can prevent sunburn and skin aging and is beneficial for hair growth and care. It is used as an emulsifier in W/O type creams, providing good usability (smooth, non-sticky) and durability.

Applications

Phytosterols are physiologically valuable substances used in medicines, including for asthma, lowering blood lipids, and treating atherosclerosis. They help treat periodontal disease, gum swelling, and bad breath. They promote wound healing, muscle growth, and capillary circulation, and accelerate wound healing with minimal scarring.

In cosmetics: Combining phospholipids, sterols, and glycosphingolipids in skincare creams helps retain skin moisture, provides gentle penetration, promotes skin metabolism, and prevents skin aging. It also enhances the healing of surface wounds and prevents sunburn. Phytosterols are used in lipsticks, lip balms, foundation sticks, hair wax, eyebrow pencils, foundation, eyeliner, and blush for good user experience, long-lasting makeup, and reduced skin irritation.

Additionally, phytosterols can be used as W/O emulsifiers, stabilizing creams and preventing spoilage. They also have good antioxidant properties and can be used as food emulsifiers, antioxidants, and nutritional additives.

Plant Sources

Phytosterols are mainly extracted from soybeans.

Plant Characteristics: Soybean (Glycine max) is an annual herb in the legume family, growing 30-90 cm tall. Soybean protein content is 35%-40%. It has a sturdy, upright stem covered with brown, stiff hairs. Leaves typically have three leaflets; stipules have veins and are covered with yellow soft hairs; petioles are 2-20 cm long; leaflets are broadly oval and papery; inflorescences are short with few flowers or long with many flowers; flower stems usually have 5-8 stalkless, closely spaced flowers; bracts are lanceolate and covered with rough hairs; flower calyx is lanceolate, with purple, light purple, or white flowers, having a petiole at the base and winged petals. Pods are large, slightly curved, and yellow-green, covered with long brown hairs; seeds are 2-5 per pod, oval or nearly round, with smooth seed coats in various colors including light green, yellow, brown, and black. Flowering period is June-July, fruiting period is July-September.

Distribution: Native to China, cultivated throughout the country and widely around the world. Soybean is an important grain crop in China, with a cultivation history of over 5,000 years, formerly known as "shu." Northeast China is the main production area. Soybeans are rich in plant protein (35%-40%) and are commonly used for making various soybean products, extracting soybean oil, brewing soy sauce, and extracting proteins.

Growing Environment: Soybeans thrive in warm conditions, with seeds germinating at 10-12°C, optimal at 15-20°C, and growing best at 20-25°C. The flowering and pod-setting period is best at 20-28°C. Cold temperatures delay pod setting and below 14°C prevent flowering, while high temperatures can end growth prematurely. Seeds require ample moisture for germination, and during flowering, soil moisture should be 70%-80% to prevent increased bud drop. Soybeans absorb less than 15% of nutrients before flowering, with over 80% absorbed during flowering and pod setting.

Main Value: Soybeans are an ideal source of high-quality plant protein. Consuming soybeans and soybean products benefits human growth, development, and health.

Consumption Methods: Soybeans can be processed into tofu, soy milk, and yuba, or refined to extract soy isoflavones. Fermented products include fermented tofu, stinky tofu, doubanjiang, soy sauce, fermented black beans, and natto. Non-fermented products include soft tofu, dried tofu (yuba), bean sprouts, marinated tofu, fried tofu, smoked tofu, deep-fried tofu, frozen tofu, and dried tofu. Soy flour is a high-protein meat substitute and can be made into various foods, including infant foods.

Packaging and Storage

Storage Conditions: Store in a sealed, light-proof container, away from high temperatures, in a dry, cool, well-ventilated place.

Packaging: Bulk in 25 kg cardboard drums, small samples in 1 kg aluminum foil bags, or custom packaging as per customer requirements.

Shipping: By express or logistics, arriving within three days by express and five days by logistics. Quotes generally include domestic shipping costs.

Shelf Life: Two years