ScholarWorks@숙명여자대학교

초록

This study aimed to identify and quantify the phytosterols in commonly consumed plant-based foods in Korea and evaluate the contribution of each phytosterol according to the food group. Three hundred food samples were categorized into six groups: vegetables (n=138), cereals (n=65), fruits (n=58), legumes (n=18), potatoes (n=12), and nuts and seeds (n=9). Eleven phytosterols, including brassicasterol, campesterol, campestanol, stigmasterol, β-sitosterol, sitostanol, 5,24-stigmastadienol, gramisterol, citrostadienol, cycloartenol, and 24-methylenecycloartanol, were identified using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and were quantified by gas chromatography-flame ionization detection (GC-FID). The total phytosterol content (per 100 g wet basis) varied according to the food group, with nuts and seeds showing the highest mean content (130.22 mg), followed by legumes (25.33 mg), cereals (19.35 mg), vegetables (17.48 mg), fruits (11.77 mg), and potatoes (4.16 mg). Across all food groups, β-sitosterol (55.96%) contributed the most to the total phytosterol content, followed by campesterol (11.28%) and stigmasterol (9.94%). In certain groups, cycloartenol and 5,24-stigmastadienol contributed more than campesterol and stigmasterol, suggesting variations in the phytosterol biosynthetic pathways depending on the plant species. These findings provide essential baseline data for establishing a phytosterol content database for Korean foods and a foundation for future research on phytosterol-based functional foods.

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