Abstract
Subcellular distribution of the four classes of sterols, the free form, fatty acid esters, acylated glucosides and non-acylated glucosides, in immature soybean seeds was investigated by thin layer chromatography of lipid extracts from particulate or non-particulate fractions obtained by fractional centrifugation, partly using sucrose stepwise density gradient centrifugation. Thin layer chromatograms were developed with two kinds of solvents successively to remove overlapping pigments and glycerides from the esterified and free sterols. The amount of sterols was measured with a densitometer.
The greatest differences in the ratio of the amount in the four classes of sterols were observed between particulate and non-particulate fractions (lipid layer and 105, 000×g, 120min supernatant): In general, higher ratio of fatty acid esters of sterols was found in non-particulate fractions, while in particulate fractions higher ratio of the free form was found and this trend was remarkable in the pellets of 105, 000×g.
