Sterol and ecdysteroids profiles of Serratula tinctoria (L.) : plant and cell cultures producing steroids

Abstract Cell suspension cultures have been obtained from Serratula tinctoria, a plant producing ecdysteroids. Sterol profiles and ecdysteroid contents have been analysed and compared in plants and cell cultures. In particular, the composition of free and esterified sterols was investigated using appropriate analytical techniques. In plants, esterified sterols were more abundant (50–70% of the total sterol) than in cell cultures (13–36%). A selectivity for sterol esterification was noted: in plants, the triterpenes (as amyrins) were esterified, whereas it was the 4-desmethylsterols (sitosterol and cholesterol) in cell cultures. Ecdysteroids were present in higher quantities in plant (0.1–1.…

Sterol and steroids profiles in Serratula tinctoria: a plant producing ecdysteroid