Product description

Sterols are steroid alcohols (complex polycyclic lipids with a hydrocarbon nucleus) found in plants and animals, and which include the mycosterols, phytosterols (derived from plants), and zoosterols (derived from animals). The principal sterol of animal fats (including marine oils) is, by far, cholesterol. Some Phytosterols (campesterol, sitosterol, stigmasterol…) can also be found in marine organisms in small quantities, as a dietary origin from phytoplankton. The major presence of phytosterols is observed in bivalves due to phytoplankton food sources. Phytosterols have received much attention in the last decade because of their cholesterol-lowering properties.

Product application

The global plant sterol esters market is segmented into food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetics industry. Food sector accounts for the highest demand for plant sterol esters, accounting for over 50 % share of the global market in terms of volume.

Phytostanol and phytosterol esters are chemically stable, fat-type materials, having comparable chemical and physical properties to edible fats and oils. They are Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and approved as safe ingredients by the European Food Safety Authority.

Raw materials

Fish and shellfish viscera are the primary sources of sterols. The presence of phytosterols in fish is quite low, so the cost of extraction would be much higher compared to other natural sources (plants,…). The major economic interest of extracting phytosterols would be in bivalves.

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Competing Companies

Simplified process Scheme