Definition:

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Pctoplant®Phytosterol esters Health Benefits:

Pctoplant®Phytosterol esters are natural, active ingredients extracted from plants. They are formed by esterifying plant sterols with fatty acids. They are known for lowering cholesterol, exhibiting anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, regulating immune function, and supporting skin health. By combining the physiological activity of plant sterols with the advantages of liposolubility, they have become a popular ingredient in foods, health supplements, and skincare products.

Particularities of Pctoplant®Phytosterol esters:

Product Specifications:

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Product quality standards:

● GRAS, Novel food, Food grade, In-house

▶ Cardiovascular health

Pctoplant®Phytosterol esters Applications:

The most well-researched and core benefits of Potoplant®Phytosterol esters are lowering serum cholesterol and protecting cardiovascular health. Phytosterol esters have a structure similar to cholesterol and compete with it for absorption sites in the intestines. This reduces the body's absorption of cholesterol from food and endogenous cholesterol in bile. Studies have shown that a daily intake of 2-3 grams of plant sterol esters can reduce total cholesterol by 8-10% and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol by 10-15%. This reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases, such as atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease, while having no significant effect on high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and triglycerides.

■ Source

In 1953, humans discovered the existence of plant sterol esters. Subsequently, researchers found that plant sterols and plant sterol esters can interfere with the absorption of cholesterol from food and bile in the intestines, thereby reducing cholesterol levels. In 1995, Finland became the first country to produce food products containing plant stanol esters, marking the first commercial product in the world to use plant sterols as a cholesterol-lowering food ingredient. In 1999, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the use of the “health-promoting” label for foods containing plant sterols and esters. The Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries also approved plant sterols and plant sterol esters as functional additives for specific health foods (FOSHU) designed to regulate blood lipids. In 2004, the European Commission approved the use of plant sterols and plant sterol esters in several specific food categories. In 2010, the Chinese Ministry of Health issued Announcement No. 3 approving plant sterol esters as a new resource food.

Pctoplant®Phytosterol esters is available in the following specification and contents:

☑  Pctoplant®Phytosterol esters 90%/95%97% (Soybean or pine source)

Pctoplant®Phytosterol esters are common additives in functional foods, especially heart-healthy products, due to their cholesterol-lowering properties. When added to dairy products and alternatives, plant sterol esters do not affect the taste or texture of the product, yet they impart a cholesterol-lowering function. Issues related to solubility in beverages and baked goods are addressed through technologies such as microencapsulation, which enables the retention of efficacy without compromising the products' flavors.

Pctoplant®Phytosterol esters are commonly formulated into dietary supplements, such as capsules, tablets, and powders, to serve as an option for individuals with high blood lipid levels. Plant sterol esters dissolved in plant oil and formed into soft capsules are easy to consume and have high bioavailability, making them a popular dosage form. Microencapsulated powder, produced using microencapsulation technology, can be consumed directly or added to other foods, catering to individuals with diverse dosage form preferences.

Pctoplant®Phytosterol esters have antioxidant and skin barrier repair properties. They are used in skincare products to improve dryness, sensitivity, and other skin issues. They alnce moisture retention and resistance. These plant-derived compounds are relatively non-irritating and suitable for a wide range of skin types. They are particularly common in natural, mild skincare products.

■ Structural Characteristics

Pctoplant®Phytosterol esters are formed through an esterification reaction involving the hydroxyl group (-OH) of plant sterols (such as β-sitosterol, soybean sterol, and rapeseed sterol) and the carboxyl group (-COOH) of fatty acids (such as oleic acid, linoleic acid, and stearic acid). This reaction retains the steroid nucleus of plant sterols while introducing fatty acid chains. Phytosterol esters are white or pale yellow waxy solids that are odorless and tasteless. They exhibit significantly enhanced lipophilicity, which far exceeds that of free phytosterols. They are easily soluble in lipid systems, such as plant oils and triglycerides. They are also stable and resistant to decomposition under the high temperatures and acidic or alkaline conditions commonly encountered in food processing.

Pctoplant®Phytosterol esters exhibit antioxidant activity. They can remove free radicals from the body, reduce lipid peroxidation reactions, and protect cells from oxidative damage. These characteristics may indirectly help delay aging and reduce the risk of diseases related to chronic inflammation.

▶ Antioxidant

Ingredients:

● Phytosterol esters and does not contain any other additives.

Pctoplant®Phytosterol esters are plant hormone precursors. Some studies suggest that phytosterols may slightly regulate human hormone metabolism, but more research is needed to confirm these findings. Phytosterol esters may improve skin dryness and inflammation by repairing the skin barrier and moisturizing the skin. For this reason, they are used in some skincare products.

▶ Other physiological effects

■ Technical characteristics

Pctoplant®Phytosterol esters are primarily derived from plant oil fractions, such as soybean or taro oil. These fractions are refined through processes such as saponification, extraction, and crystallization to obtain phytosterols. Twuzhiwu he phytosterols are then esterified with sunflower seed oil fatty acids and other substances.

Pctoplant®Phytosterol esters are prepared using plant sterols and fatty acids as raw materials. The main methods are chemical esterification and enzyme-catalyzed esterification. In chemical esterification, plant sterols react with fatty acids under the catalysis of acids, such as sulfuric acid, or bases, such as sodium hydroxide, at temperatures between 100 and 200°C. This method is highly efficient and suitable for industrial production but may leave behind residual chemical catalysts. Enzymatic catalysis uses lipases, such as Candida antarctica lipase, to catalyze esterification under mild conditions (30-60°C). This method has several advantages, including mild reaction conditions, high product purity, and the absence of chemical residues, making it an environmentally friendly preparation method. It is currently replacing chemical methods as the mainstream approach.