Sterol conjugates of two phenotypically different calli of Beta vulgaris.

Steryl glycosides are the predominant form of sterol at 88% of the total sterol in non-betalain producing calli of Beta vulgaris. The total sterol decreases and sterol form shifts from steryl glycosides to 97% free sterol upon the transition of non-betalain to betalain producing calli. A substantial decrease in stigmasterol (24α--ethylcholesta-5,22E-dien-3β-ol) and sitosterol (24α-ethylcholest-5-en-3β-ol) levels is observed during this transition, and alters the ratio of Δ(7):Δ(5) sterols. Spinasterol (24α- ethyl-5α-cholesta-7,22E-dien-3β-ol) is the dominant sterol at 43% and 95% of the total sterol in non-betalain producing and betalain producing calli. The level of 22-dihydrospinasterol (24α-ethyl-5α-cholest-7-en-3β-ol) is reduced in both calli to ≤ 3% from 25% in leaves. Lanosterol (4,4,14α-trimethyl-cholesta-8(9),24-dien-3β-ol) and cycloartenol (9β,19-cyclopropyl-4,4,14α-trimethyl-cholest-24-en-3β-ol) were identified in betalain and nonbetalain producing callus respectively.