Composition of the sterol fraction in horse chestnut

The Δ⁷-and Δ⁵-sterol fractions were isolated from the unsaponifiable matter of ripe, air dried, chestnut seed. The Δ⁷-sterol fraction amounted to 18.4% and the Δ⁵-sterol fraction amounted to 8.2% of the unsaponifiable matter. In the Δ⁷-sterol fraction three components were identified as Δ⁷-campesterol, α-spinasterol and Δ⁷-stigmastenol. One component was probably Δ^5,7-stigmastadienol and five components remained unidentified. Δ⁷-stigmastenol and α- spinasterol were the major components and amounted to 74.8% of the fraction. In the Δ⁵-sterol fraction at least ten components were found. Five of them were identified as cholesterol, campesterol, stigmasterol, sitosterol and Δ⁴-stigmasten-3-one. Stigmasterol and sitosterol amounted to 73.6% of the fraction.