sitosterol

[ sahy-tos-tuh-rawl, -rol ]

noun

, Chemistry.

1. any of five steroid alcohols having the formula C 2 2 H 5 0 O, especially the beta form, obtained from various plant sources: used in organic synthesis.

sitosterol

/ saɪˈtɒstəˌrɒl /

noun

1. a white powder or waxy white solid extracted from soya beans, consisting of a mixture of isomers of the formula C 29 H 50 O with other sterols: used in cosmetics and medicine

Word History and Origins

Origin of sitosterol¹

First recorded in 1915–20; sito- + sterol

Word History and Origins

Origin of sitosterol¹

C20: from Greek sitos food, grain + sterol

Example Sentences

Phytosterol is not a single alcohol, but a mixture of at least two, which have been separated and studied as sitosterol, C27H43OH, and stigmasterol, C30H49OH.

From Project Gutenberg