ergosteroln.
/əːˈɡɒstərɒl/, U.S. /ərˈɡɑstəˌroʊl/, /ərˈɡɑstəˌrɑl/ Biochemistry.
A steroid alcohol, C28H44O, present esp. in ergot and in many yeasts and fungi, and productive of vitamin D2 under ultraviolet irradiation. Also earlier ergosterin n. [ < French ergostérine (C. Tanret 1889, in Compt. Rend. CVIII. 98); compare cholesterin n.]
ΚΠ
1889 Jrnl. Chem. Soc. 56 408 Ergosterin..is completely dissolved by sulphuric acid without discoloration.
1906 Jrnl. Chem. Soc. 90 ii. 202 As obtained by Bömer's method..from the fat of rye, ergosterol contains a small amount of a product which forms small, white flocks melting at 60–61° and is non-saponifiable, but the nature of which is unknown.
1927 Nature 24 Sept. 440/2 Irradiated ergosterol possesses extraordinarily potent anti-rachitic activity.
1928 A. B. Callow Food & Health 51 Ergosterol..was present in minute quantities in what was formerly thought to be pure cholesterol... When ergosterol is irradiated it acquires the property of preventing or curing rickets, that is to say, it becomes vitamin D.
1934 Nature 2 June 838/1 Irradiated ergosterol determines the fixation of calcium in the animal organism, and hence induces good ossification... These ergosterol-containing oils readily become rancid.
1963 D. Kritchevsky in Florkin & Stotz Comprehensive Biochem. X. i. 14 Ergosterol..was isolated initially from ergot but..also occurs in most fungi, including yeast, in lichens, algae and some vegetable oils.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1933; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1889