3.5.2. Quantification of Phytosterols

The three phytosterols (stigmasterol, campesterol, beta-sitosterol) found in HI extracts were quantified on the basis of their peak areas and evaluation with a calibration curve of the corresponding standards [25]. The richest extract in campesterol was 45.04 μg/g dw HI, while the highest quantities of stigmasterol and beta-sitosterol were 197.30 and 5305.01 μg/g dw HI extracts, respectively (Table 5).

Phytosterols are known for the decreasing effect against total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol, important risk factors in cardiovascular diseases [48]. Moreover, the consumption of plant sterols has been shown to increase the antioxidant activity [49]. Our study found quantities of phytosterols in HI which are in line with those in nuts [50] and proved that this by-product can be a source of natural sterols with several health benefits.
