Cooccurrence of C-24 alkylated Δ(7)- and Δ(5)-Sterols in the leaves ofBeta vulgarisin the leaves ofBeta vulgaris.

The 4-desmethylsterols from the leaves ofBeta vulgaris are a mixture of Δ(7)-sterols (71%) and Δ(5)-sterols (29%). The Δ(7)-sterols isolated are spinasterol (24α-ethylcholesta-7,22-dien-3β-ol; 45%), 22-dihydrospinasterol (24α-ethylcholest-7-en-3β-ol; 24%), and avenasterol (24-ethylcholesta-7,24(28)-dien-3β-ol; 1.5%). The Δ(5)-sterols isolated are sitosterol (24α-ethylcholest-5-en-3β-ol; 15%), 24ζ-ethylcholesta-5,22-dien-3β-ol (7.5%), and 24ζ-methylcholest-5-en-3β-ol (7%).