ergosterol

er·gos·ter·ol

E0197200 (ûr-gŏs′tə-rôl′, -rōl′)n. A crystalline sterol, C₂₈H₄₃OH, synthesized by yeast from sugars or derived from ergot and converted to vitamin D₂ when exposed to ultraviolet radiation.

[ergo(t) + sterol.]

ergosterol

(ɜːˈɡɒstəˌrɒl) n (Botany) a plant sterol that is converted into vitamin D by the action of ultraviolet radiation. Formula: C28H43OH

er•gos•ter•ol

(ɜrˈgɒs təˌroʊl, -rɔl)

n. a colorless, crystalline, water-insoluble sterol, C₂₈H₄₃OH, that occurs in ergot and yeast and that, when irradiated with ultraviolet light, is converted to vitamin D. [1885]

Thesaurus

Noun

ergosterol - a plant sterol that is converted into vitamin D by ultraviolet radiationsteroid alcohol, sterol - any of a group of natural steroid alcohols derived from plants or animals; they are waxy insoluble substancescalciferol, cholecalciferol, D, ergocalciferol, viosterol, vitamin D - a fat-soluble vitamin that prevents rickets

Ergosterol

enUK

ergosterol

[ər′gäs·tə‚rȯl] (biochemistry) C₂₈H₄₄O A crystalline, water-insoluble, unsaturated sterol found in ergot, yeast, and other fungi, and which may be converted to vitamin D₂ on irradiation with ultraviolet light or activation with electrons. Also known as ergosterin.

Ergosterol

(also provitamin D₂), C₂₈H₄₄O, a natural compound of the sterol group with the structural formula

Ergosterol is formed in yeast, molds, and other fungi. The crystals have a melting point of 165°C. Insoluble in water, they are soluble in organic solvents. Ergosterol is optically active, with a specific rotation of [α]_D = –129°. The compound is highly reactive because of conjugate double bonds in the B ring of the system. Like cholesterol, it can form molecular complexes and inclusion complexes in cells. When irradiated with ultraviolet light, the B ring breaks, and ergosterol forms precalciferol, which is easily isomerized by heating to yield vitamin D₂ (ergocalciferol).

In the pharmaceutical industry, ergosterol is used in the preparation of vitamin D₂ and the hormone progesterone. Ergosterol is extracted from the alkaline hydrolyzates of baker’s yeast or the mycelial by-products from the manufacture of antibiotics.

ergosterol

[er-gos´ter-ol] a sterol occurring in animal and plant tissues which on irradiation by ultraviolet rays converts to vitamin D₂, a potent agent for the prevention of rickets, ergocalciferol.

er·gos·ter·ol

(er-gos'tĕr-ol), The most important of the D2 provitamins; ultraviolet irradiation converts ergosterol to lumisterol, tachysterol, and ergocalciferol; main sterol in yeast, ergot, and molds. Synonym(s): ergosterin

ergosterol

(ûr-gŏs′tə-rôl′, -rōl′)n. A crystalline sterol, C₂₈H₄₃OH, synthesized by yeast from sugars or derived from ergot and converted to vitamin D₂ when exposed to ultraviolet radiation.

er·gos·ter·ol

(ĕr-gos'tĕr-ol) The most important of the D2 provitamins; ultraviolet irradiation converts ergosterol to lumisterol, tachysterol, and ergocalciferol; main sterol in yeast.

ergosterol

A sterol found in fungal cell membranes which, when exposed to ultraviolet light, is converted into vitamin D₂ (ergocalciferol) and to other, toxic, substances.

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Words related to ergosterol

noun a plant sterol that is converted into vitamin D by ultraviolet radiation

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