SEARCHNARRATIVE_REVIEWnutrition, food science

narrative_review·nutrition, food science, biomedical research, cardiology, endocrinology·PMC10535520

Advances and Challenges in Plant Sterol Research: Fundamentals, Analysis, Applications and Production

Molecules · 4 authors, 4 centres

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TL;DR

It discusses the use of PS formulations, such as sitosterol, as therapeutic agents for hypercholesterolaemia and their classification as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) by the FDA.

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It discusses the use of PS formulations, such as sitosterol, as therapeutic agents for hypercholesterolaemia and their classification as Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) by the FDA. The review details the toxicological assessment of PS, noting that the main long-term safety concerns are interference with carotenoid absorption and the formation of potentially cytotoxic phytosterol oxidation products (POP). It highlights that the EFSA estimated a daily safe level of POP and that maximum recommended PS intake could exceed this level. The review also identifies gaps in research, including the need for long-term randomized clinical trials and more comprehensive safety evaluations that consider mixed diets and specific PS components.

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narrative_review

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nutrition

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AI pipeline

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ORIGINAL PAPER

PMC10535520

Advances and Challenges in Plant Sterol Research: Fundamentals, Analysis, Applications and Production

Molecules

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ABSTRACT

Abstract Plant sterols (PS) are cholesterol-like terpenoids widely spread in the kingdom Plantae. Being the target of extensive research for more than a century, PS have topped with evidence of having beneficial effects in healthy subjects and applications in food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. However, many gaps in several fields of PS’s research still hinder their widespread practical applications. In fact, many of the mechanisms associated with PS supplementation and their health benefits are still not fully elucidated. Furthermore, compared to cholesterol data, many complex PS chemical structures still need to be fully characterized, especially in oxidized PS. On the other hand, PS molecules have also been the focus of structural modifications for applications in diverse areas, including not only the above-mentioned but also in e.g., drug delivery systems or alternative matrixes for functional foods and fats. All the identified drawbacks are also superimposed by the need of new PS sources and technologies for their isolation and purification, taking into account increased environmental and sustainability concerns. Accordingly, current and future trends in PS research warrant discussion. Keywords: phytosterols, oxidation products, sitosterol, analysis, production, biosynthesis

CITATION EXPORT

Dmitry D Evtyugin, Dmitry V Evtuguin, Susana Casal et al.. Advances and Challenges in Plant Sterol Research: Fundamentals, Analysis, Applications and Production. Molecules. (2023). https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules28186526

AUTHORS

4 · 4 CENTRES

Dmitry D Evtyugin, Dmitry V Evtuguin, Susana Casal, Maria Rosário Domingues

1CICECO, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal; [email protected] (D.D.E.); [email protected] (D.V.E.)
2LAQV-REQUIMTE, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Porto, 4050-313 Porto, Portugal
3Mass Spectrometry Centre, LAQV-REQUIMTE, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
4CESAM, Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, Campus Universitário de Santiago, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal