IN the first paper of this series [1918], an account of the phytosterols occurring in the lower plants is given. These are represented chiefly by two substances occurring in the fungi: (1) ergosterol, first isolated by Tanret [1889], and (2) fongisterol, which have been obtained by Tanret [1908] and other workers. Gerard [1892, 1895] puts forward the theory that the sterols may be divided into two groups.:. (1) the Phytosterols occurring in the higher plants, and (2) the Ergosterols found only in tlAe lower plants. To obtin more. knowledge on thiis matter, several species, chosen from different groups belonging to the lower plants, were examined for the occurrence of a phytosterol.The 'following were dealt with:
IN accounts of the chemical analysis of plants, "a phytosterol" is often mentioned among the constituents. Particularly noteworthy in this connection are the researches of Power and his co-workers at the Wellcome Chemical Research Laboratories.Descriptions of the constituents of plants or parts of plants of pharmaceutical importance have appeared during recent years in the Journal of the Chemical Society-and in pharmaceutical journals-and it Would seem from these that phytosterol is present in seeds, roots, leaves, shoots, flowers-in latex and in bark.In addition to this the phytosterols from special sources have been examined very carefully by various authors. The substances so described are isomeric with the animal cholesterol, in most cases having the formula C27H460, but included in the group are certain other compounds possessing slightlv different formulae which may be regarded as very nearlyrelated. Chemically, like cholesterol, they react as unsaturated alcohols forming bromine additive compounds, and esters. They are generally optically active, and they give the cholesterol colour reactions--though sometimes in a modified form. The two chief tests of this kind are:(1) The Salkow8ki Tedt-in which a few mg. of the substance are dissolved in abo'ut 2 cc. of chloroform and shaken with an equal bulk of strong sulphuric acid. The chloroform develops a blood-red or cherrv-red colour which it retains for several days. On pouring this solution into a basin, the colour changes to blue, green, and then yellow, owing to absorption of water. On addition of sulphuric acid, the original colour is restored. The sulphuric acid layer is distinctly fluorescent.
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