Plant fats and oils contain phytosterols as naturally occurring constituents, which are present in pure or esterified form, or conjugated as glycosides. The predominant phytosterol is sitosterol and minor components are campesterol, stigmasterol, δ7 -avenasterol and brassicasterol. They play a key role in cell membrane function of plants as cholesterol in animals. Phytosterols have been known for many years for their properties for reducing blood cholesterol levels, as well as their other beneficial health effects for cancer preventive biological-active substances. The objective of this paper is to present a description of the recent advances in phytosterols for future research.

• 김선림(농촌진흥청 작물시험장)
• 박금룡(농촌진흥청 작물시험장)
• 이영호(농촌진흥청 작물시험장)
• 유용환(농촌진흥청 작물시험장)