Abstract
Steroidal components of white clover leaves were examined by thin-layer chromatography, and the behavior on chromatoplates suggested that free sterols, esterified sterols, steryl glucosides, and acylated steryl glucosides were present in the acetone-extract of the material. An unknown spot showing steroidal nature was found, although it has not been identified yet. These five forms were separated by Florisil column chromatography, and the quantity of each form was determined: Free sterols, 54.2% ; esterified sterols, 33.1%; acylated steryl glucosides, 7.6% ; steryl glucosides, 3.4% ; an unknown form, 1.7%. The sterol content of the leaves of various plants was estimated for the samples prepared from the unsaponifiable fraction by use of thin-layer chromatography and tomatinide formation. The amount of sterols was almost equal among the plants examined (sterols/dry matter, 0.08-0.11%) with the exception of oat grass (0.05%). The sterol fraction of various plants was analyzed by gas-liquid chromatography, and the results showed that the sterol pattern varies with the plants. In most of the plants analyzed, β-sitosterol was tentatively identified as the major sterol.
