ergosterol

[ ur-gos-tuh-rohl, -rawl ]

noun

, Biochemistry.

1. a colorless, crystalline, water-insoluble sterol, C 28 H 43 OH, that occurs in ergot and yeast and that, when irradiated with ultraviolet light, is converted to vitamin D.

ergosterol

/ ɜːˈɡɒstəˌrɒl /

noun

1. a plant sterol that is converted into vitamin D by the action of ultraviolet radiation. Formula: C 28 H 43 OH

Word History and Origins

Origin of ergosterol¹

First recorded in 1885–90; ergo- ² + sterol