GRADE & PURITYMoligand™?Moligand™ — Aladdin's line of ligands and bioactive small molecules. Use for receptor, pathway, and binding studies needing defined small-molecule tools.10 mM in Ethanol
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Application Protocols
No vendor-tested protocols are provided in the Product Data for this item. The following high-level handling suggestions are general literature practices and not product-validated methods.
Preparation of DMSO stock for cell-free assays:
Dissolve beta-sitosterol to 10–50 mM in anhydrous DMSO with brief sonication or gentle warming (≤40 °C). Aliquot into amber vials; store at −80 °C per product storage guidance. Minimize freeze–thaw cycles.
Incorporation into lipid vesicles (thin-film hydration; research use):
Co-dissolve phospholipids and beta-sitosterol in CHCl3:MeOH (2:1). Evaporate under N2 to a thin film; vacuum-dry ≥2 h. Hydrate with buffer (e.g., 10 mM HEPES, 150 mM NaCl, pH 7.4) at 40–60 °C with vortexing; optionally sonicate or extrude to size. Target 20–40 mol% sterol depending on study design.
Delivery to aqueous assays:
Add DMSO stock to stirred buffer to ≤0.5–1% final DMSO; include 0.01–0.1% nonionic surfactant or cyclodextrin complexes if needed to maintain dispersion.
For validated, product-specific application parameters (e.g., tested concentrations, methods), Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.
Biological Roles
This section summarizes general, literature-based biology; it is not product-specific and does not imply clinical use.
Plant lipid biology: Beta-sitosterol is a predominant phytosterol in higher plants, functioning analogously to cholesterol in animals. It modulates membrane fluidity, permeability, and microdomain organization in the plasma membrane and organelles.
Biosynthesis (plants): Derived from cycloartenol via the isoprenoid/mevalonate pathway with subsequent methyl/ethyl additions at C-24 and desaturation steps (literature).
In animals: Dietary phytosterols can incorporate at low levels into cell membranes, influencing packing and potentially raft-associated signaling in model systems. Transporters ABCG5/ABCG8 and NPC1L1 mediate absorption/efflux of sterols in enterocytes (literature).
Metabolism: Can be oxidized to stanols (e.g., sitostanol) or hydroxylated/ketolated derivatives by oxidative enzymes; conjugation (e.g., esterification, glycosylation) alters solubility and trafficking (literature).
Biophysical behavior: The 24-ethyl group modifies sterol–phospholipid interactions compared with cholesterol, often producing slightly different liquid-ordered phase stability and transition temperatures in model membranes.
Research relevance: Frequently used in comparative studies of sterol-binding proteins, transporters, and enzymes to delineate steric/electronic determinants of recognition.
Note: All biological roles described are for basic research context only. This product is labeled For research use only and is not intended for human or veterinary applications.
Buffer Applications
Beta-sitosterol is not a buffering agent and does not participate in classical acid–base buffer systems. However, practical guidance for incorporating this hydrophobic sterol into aqueous buffers for research assays is provided (literature/general):
Stock preparation: Dissolve in DMSO or ethanol at 10–50 mM. Filter-sterilize if required using solvent-compatible membranes (PTFE for DMSO/EtOH). Store aliquots at −20 °C to −80 °C per product guidance.
Aqueous dilution: Add stock dropwise to vigorously stirred buffer to reach ≤0.5–1% final organic solvent. Use surfactants (e.g., 0.01–0.1% Tween-80 or Triton X-100) or carrier proteins (e.g., 0.1% BSA) to aid dispersion, as compatible with the assay.
Liposome/vesicle systems: Co-dissolve beta-sitosterol with phospholipids in CHCl3:MeOH (2:1), form a dry film, then hydrate with the desired buffer (e.g., HEPES, PBS) to achieve target mol% sterol. Extrude or sonicate to control size distribution (literature practice).
Cyclodextrin complexes: Methyl-β-cyclodextrin can be used to solubilize and deliver sterols to membranes in buffered systems; optimize molar ratios and incubation times to avoid membrane extraction artifacts (literature).
For all the above, confirm that additives do not confound readouts (spectroscopic interference, enzyme inhibition) and keep within the tolerance of biological systems under study.
Green Alternatives
Considerations center on solvent choice, sourcing, and process intensification (literature/general guidance):
Sourcing: Beta-sitosterol is commonly derived from plant sources (e.g., tall oil, vegetable oils) as a byproduct stream. Using bio-based feedstocks reduces fossil-derived input compared with synthetic routes.
Solvent substitution:
Prefer ethyl acetate, 2-MeTHF, or isopropanol over chlorinated solvents (DCM/CHCl3) for extractions, recrystallizations, and esterifications when feasible.
For membrane film casting, ethanol or isopropanol can partially replace CHCl3/MeOH mixtures if process demands allow (may require longer evaporation and optimized spreading).
Energy and safety:
Use room-temperature acylations (DMAP catalysis) and catalytic oxidations (e.g., TEMPO-based) instead of stoichiometric chromium(VI) reagents to reduce hazardous waste.
Implement nitrogen blanketing and amber glassware instead of refrigerated storage during short manipulations to minimize energy consumption, reverting to the specified −80 °C storage for long-term integrity.
Process comparison (literature perspective):
Chlorinated solvents: excellent solubility/film casting; high environmental and health impact.
Ethyl acetate/2-MeTHF: good solvating power for sterols; lower toxicity and better EHS profile; may require warming/sonication.
Supercritical CO2: effective for extraction and impurity removal from plant matrices; minimal organic solvent residue but requires specialized equipment.
Always validate any solvent switch for solubility, purity, and assay compatibility before scale-up.
Pharmaceutical Uses
No therapeutic claims are made. The following describes formulation/manufacturing roles and analytical contexts from the literature/general practice.
Excipient-like roles (research/manufacturing studies): Beta-sitosterol and its esters have been explored as lipophilic matrix modifiers in semi-solids and lipid-based delivery systems due to their high melting point and membrane-ordering properties. In research settings, sterols can tune gel strength and crystallinity in oleogels and emulsions.
Analytical reference: Used as a reference standard for QC of phytosterol content in plant-derived excipients (e.g., refined oils) using GC-FID or LC methods after suitable derivatization (literature).
Compatibility: Generally compatible with nonpolar excipients, triglyceride oils, and phospholipids; verify interactions with surfactants and polymers case-by-case.
Compendial status: Literature indicates monographs/entries for phytosterols or beta-sitosterol in certain pharmacopeial or food-code contexts; users should verify current compendia directly. This item’s specific pharmacopeial compliance is Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.
Note: This product is designated For research use only and is not intended for use as a drug substance, active ingredient, or in human/animal clinical applications.
Physical Properties
Only item-specific specifications appearing in Product Data may be treated as product specs. Where not provided, literature/general values are given for planning and comparison.
Item-specific specifications from Product Data:
Appearance: Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.
Molecular formula: Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.
Molecular weight: Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.
Literature/general property values (non-binding, for reference):
Molecular formula (literature): C29H50O
Molecular weight (literature): ~414.71 g/mol
Physical state: waxy solid or crystalline powder (literature)
Melting point: typically ~136–140 °C (literature)
Boiling/decomposition: high; sterols generally decompose before boiling at ambient pressure (literature)
Density: approximately 0.9–1.0 g/cm³ (literature, varies with form)
Solubility: practically insoluble in water; soluble in organic solvents such as ethanol, methanol (warm), isopropanol, acetone, ethyl acetate, chloroform, DCM, toluene, and in lipids/oils (literature)
LogP: very high (reported >8; literature/estimated), consistent with strong hydrophobicity
pKa: not applicable (neutral secondary alcohol; very weakly acidic, pKa >15, literature)
Refractive index: not commonly reported for solids; N/A
Practical notes:
Slow dissolution may occur at room temperature; gentle warming (30–40 °C) and sonication can accelerate dissolution in suitable organic solvents.
For bioassay stock solutions, DMSO or ethanol are commonly used carriers due to miscibility with aqueous media after high dilution (literature guidance).
Quality & Grades
Grade/Purity stated: Moligand™, purity >98%.
What Moligand™ implies (general description):
Moligand™ denotes material curated for small-molecule screening and ligand discovery workflows. Such material is typically optimized for identity confirmation and high purity suitable for biochemical/biophysical assays, fragment/ligand screening, and medicinal chemistry starts.
Item-specific notes:
Purity: >98% as stated; detailed impurity profile and analytical data (HPLC/GC/NMR, residual solvents, water content, residual metals) are Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.
Stabilizers/inhibitors: Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.
UV cutoff/absorbance profile: Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.
Implications for use:
High purity sterols are critical for reproducible membrane biophysics (e.g., phase behavior, raft formation) and for enzyme-substrate studies (e.g., sterol oxidases, glycosyltransferases). Trace oxidized sterols can influence results; store as directed and minimize exposure to air/light.
Analytical confirmation (recommended practices):
Identity: 1H/13C NMR in CDCl3 or C6D6; characteristic 3β-OH proton and Δ5 olefinic protons; HRMS for molecular ion near m/z 414.7 [M]+ (literature guidance).
Purity: HPLC/UPLC with ELSD/CAD or UV at ~205–210 nm; GC after derivatization (e.g., TMS ethers) is also common for sterols (literature).
Membrane biophysics: beta-sitosterol is employed as a cholesterol analog to study phase separation, lipid raft formation, and sterol–phospholipid interactions in model membranes (e.g., GUVs, SLBs). Its 24-ethyl side chain modulates packing relative to cholesterol.
Enzymology/biocatalysis: substrate for sterol oxidases/dehydrogenases, glycosyltransferases (to form sitosterol glycosides), and acyltransferases (formation of fatty acyl esters).
Materials/templating: sterol-containing organogels and templated porous materials; sterol esters as rheology modifiers in oils (literature).
Analytical reference: standard for GC/HPLC quantification of phytosterols in plant oils and food matrices (derivatization to TMS ethers for GC-FID).
O-acylation: Ac2O or acyl chlorides with pyridine/DMAP to give sitosteryl esters.
Oxidation: Dess–Martin or PCC to 3-ketositosterol; allylic oxidation at C7 (e.g., SeO2 variants) with caution.
Epoxidation/hydrogenation: mCPBA epoxidation of Δ5 double bond; hydrogenation (H2, Pd/C) to saturate Δ5, altering biophysical properties.
Glycosylation: Koenigs–Knorr or trichloroacetimidate donors under Lewis acid catalysis to give 3-O-glycosides (sitosterol saponins).
Practical tips:
Dry, oxygen- and light-minimized conditions help suppress autoxidation (formation of 7-keto- and hydroxy-sterols). Include antioxidants (e.g., BHT) where compatible with downstream use.
For film deposition, use CHCl3:MeOH (2:1) and remove solvent under gentle N2, then vacuum-dry to constant mass before hydration (literature practice).
Reaction Conditions
General, literature-based conditions for common transformations of beta-sitosterol (optimize per lab):
O-Acylation (ester formation):
Reagents: Ac2O (2–3 equiv) or acid chloride (1.2–1.5 equiv), base (pyridine) and catalytic DMAP (5–10 mol%).
Solvent: CH2Cl2, THF, or toluene.
Temperature/time: 0 °C to rt, 1–6 h.
Notes: Protect from moisture; monitor by TLC (nonpolar eluents). Typical high conversions reported.
Oxidation to 3-keto sterol:
Dess–Martin periodinane (1.5 equiv) in CH2Cl2 at rt, 1–3 h, or PCC in CH2Cl2 with molecular sieves.
Workup: Aqueous bicarbonate and sodium thiosulfate quench for DMP.
Epoxidation of Δ5:
Reagent: mCPBA (1.1–1.3 equiv, 77% grade buffered) in CH2Cl2 at 0 °C to rt, 1–4 h.
Control acid content to limit side reactions; add NaHCO3.
Hydrogenation (Δ5 saturation):
Catalyst: Pd/C (5–10 wt%), H2 (1–3 atm), EtOH/EtOAc solvent, rt–40 °C, 2–12 h.
Monitor to avoid over-reduction or hydrogenolysis of protecting groups.
Glycosylation at C3:
Donor: peracetylated glycosyl trichloroacetimidate; promoter: BF3·Et2O or TMSOTf.
Solvent: dry CH2Cl2; temperature: −40 °C to 0 °C; anhydrous conditions critical.
Analytical/monitoring:
TLC: hexanes/EtOAc 9:1 to 7:3 typically resolves starting sterol vs products.
NMR: monitor disappearance of 3β-OH signature and olefinic protons (~5.3 ppm) as applicable.
These conditions are literature guidance and not product specifications.
Safety & Handling
Authoritative safety information is defined by the product SDS. The following are general laboratory considerations for sterol solids.
GHS/SDS information provided for this item:
Signal word: Not specified for this item; refer to SDS.
Hazard statements: Not specified for this item; refer to SDS.
GHS classification/pictograms: Not specified for this item; refer to SDS.
General safety profile (literature/practice):
Beta-sitosterol is a hydrophobic organic solid. While not typically classified as acutely hazardous, dusts may cause mechanical irritation to eyes/respiratory tract. Handle powders to minimize dust generation.
Combustible dust hazard may exist; avoid ignition sources and excessive dust accumulation.
PPE and engineering controls:
Wear lab coat, safety glasses or goggles, and appropriate gloves (e.g., nitrile). Use a fume hood for weighing/dissolution to control dust and solvent vapors.
Incompatibilities and stability considerations:
Avoid strong oxidizing agents. Prolonged exposure to air, heat, and light can promote oxidation; the item’s storage guidance specifies “Protected from light, Store at -80 °C,” which should be followed strictly.
First-aid overview (consult SDS for details):
Inhalation: move to fresh air; seek medical attention if symptoms persist.
Skin/eye contact: rinse with water for several minutes; remove contaminated clothing; obtain medical advice if irritation continues.
Ingestion: rinse mouth; do not induce vomiting; seek medical attention.
Spill and disposal:
Avoid dust; collect mechanically and place in suitable container. Dispose of contents/container according to institutional, local, and national regulations.
Transport/shipping:
Shipped on dry ice packs + cold packs as stated; maintain cold chain to preserve material integrity.
Chlorinated/aromatics: chloroform, DCM, toluene (good to excellent).
Oils/lipids: readily soluble in vegetable oils and lipid mixtures.
Polarity and dielectric context:
Highly lipophilic amphiphile with a single secondary alcohol; effectively behaves as a nonpolar solute with a polar headgroup. Choose solvents that solvate large hydrophobic surfaces.
Typical use scenarios:
Bioassays: prepare concentrated stocks in DMSO (e.g., 10–50 mM); dilute into aqueous buffers to low final DMSO (≤0.5–1% v/v) with mixing. Consider surfactants (e.g., 0.01–0.1% Tween-80) or carrier proteins (e.g., 0.1% BSA) to maintain dispersion (literature guidance).
Materials/lipid work: dissolve in chloroform or chloroform:methanol for thin-film hydration when forming liposomes or monolayers.
Comparative selection (literature-based):
DMSO vs ethanol: DMSO offers broader solubility and compatibility with high-throughput screening; ethanol may be preferred for volatility and ease of removal in film casting.
Ethyl acetate/2-MeTHF provide greener alternatives to chlorinated solvents for extraction/recrystallization when feasible.
Storage & Reconstitution
Follow the item’s specific storage and shipping instructions to preserve integrity.
Item-specific instructions (from Product Data):
Storage conditions: Protected from light, Store at −80 °C.
Shipped in: Dry ice packs + Cold packs.
Research use note: For research use only.
General handling and reconstitution guidance (literature/practice):
Upon receipt: Keep frozen. Allow container to equilibrate to room temperature in a desiccator before opening to avoid moisture condensation on the material.
Aliquoting: If frequent use is anticipated, divide into single-use aliquots under low-light conditions to minimize cumulative oxidation. Use amber vials.
Solubilization: Prepare concentrated stocks in anhydrous DMSO or ethanol. Gentle warming (≤40 °C) and brief sonication can aid dissolution. Record final concentration and solvent.
Freeze–thaw: Avoid repeated cycles. Store aliquots tightly sealed under inert gas (e.g., nitrogen or argon) when feasible.
Stability notes: Sterols can slowly oxidize under light/air; adhere to “protected from light” guidance and limit bench exposure. For long-term storage, maintain at −80 °C as specified.
Any item-specific stability data (e.g., shelf life, peroxide/oxidation limits, residual solvent levels): Not specified for this item; refer to CoA/Spec Sheet.
Beta-sitosterol is a phytosterol (plant sterol) with the cyclopentanoperhydrophenanthrene steroid nucleus (four fused rings: three 6-membered, one 5-membered).
It bears a single secondary alcohol at C-3 in the β-configuration (3β-OH), analogous to cholesterol.
It possesses a Δ5 double bond (between C5–C6) in the B-ring (literature).
The side chain at C-17 is elongated relative to cholesterol, featuring an additional ethyl substituent at C-24 (24-ethylcholesterol, literature).
Stereochemistry: multiple defined stereocenters typical of natural sterols (e.g., 8β, 9α, 10β, 13β, 14α, 17β, 20R, 24R in the natural isomer; literature). No stereochemical specification is provided for this item beyond the common name.
Molecular identity (literature values for reference):
Molecular formula (literature): C29H50O
Molecular weight (literature): ~414.71 g/mol
2D depiction in words:
A tetracyclic trans-fused steroid framework with a hydroxyl at C3 (equatorial/β), a C5–C6 double bond, and a branched C8 aliphatic side chain at C17 terminating in an ethyl-branched isooctyl fragment. These features define a hydrophobic, amphipathic molecule with a single polar head group.
Synthetic Utility
Functional handles and strategies (literature/general):
Secondary alcohol at C3 (3β-OH): gateway to esters, ethers, carbonates, and glycosides. Mitsunobu inversion affords 3α-derivatives or facilitates O-alkylation via in situ activation.
Δ5-alkene: subject to epoxidation, hydroboration–oxidation, ozonolysis (caution), or selective hydrogenation to modulate ring saturation.
Allylic/benzylic C–H: controlled oxidations (e.g., 7-keto/7-hydroxy derivatives) provide access to oxidized sterols with distinct biophysical/biological properties.
Side chain (C24 ethyl): opportunities for remote functionalization via radical or metal-catalyzed C–H activation are reported, though often low yielding; classical chemistry more commonly leaves the side chain intact.
Representative synthetic sequences:
Protection–deprotection: Convert 3β-OH to acetate or silyl ethers (TBDMS/TBS) to direct reactivity elsewhere; deprotect under mild conditions.
Glycosylation: Formation of sitosterol β-glycosides using trichloroacetimidate donors under BF3·Et2O/TMSOTf catalysis; neighboring group participation can control anomeric outcome.
Oxidation to 3-keto: PCC, Jones, or DMP oxidation to 3-ketositosterol; subsequent stereoselective reduction (e.g., Luche conditions) enables access to α/β epimers.
Epoxidation/opening: mCPBA epoxidation across Δ5 followed by regioselective opening to introduce hydroxyl groups for polyhydroxylated derivatives.
Utility in retrosynthesis:
The rigid, polycyclic scaffold serves as a chiral, conformationally constrained template. Late-stage diversification at C3 and Δ5 offers a platform to generate focused libraries for ligand screening (aligned with the Moligand™ designation).
Target Specificity
This section applies to biological affinity reagents (e.g., antibodies, proteins). Beta-sitosterol is a small-molecule sterol; no antigen/epitope/clone/isotype information is applicable.
Target specificity data: Not applicable to this compound type.
Tested reactivity/clone information: Not applicable.
Refer instead to Reaction & Applications, Biological Roles, and Application Protocols (general handling) for relevant usage information.
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