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Phytosterols in the aleurone layer of corn kernels
1Eastern Regional Research Center, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 600 East Mermaid Lane, Wyndmoor, PA 19038, USA. moreau@arserrc.gov
Biochemical Society Transactions
|February 15, 2001
Summary
Corn hulls contain ferulate-phytosterol esters and sitostanol, primarily within the aleurone cell layer. This study pinpoints the aleurone as the origin of these key compounds in corn fiber oil.
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Science
- Biochemistry
- Food Science
Background:
- Corn hulls consist of two distinct layers: the outer pericarp (non-living cell walls) and the inner aleurone (living cells with thick cell walls).
- Previous research indicated high levels of ferulate-phytosterol esters and sitostanol in corn fiber oil, but their specific cellular origin was unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the specific cellular location of ferulate-phytosterol esters and sitostanol within corn hulls.
- To determine whether these compounds originate from the pericarp or the aleurone layer of the corn hull.
Main Methods:
- Dissection of corn hulls into pure pericarp and aleurone fractions.
- Grinding of dissected fractions.
- Extraction of oils from the ground fractions using hexane.
- Analysis of the yields and compositions of the extracted oils.
Main Results:
- The study successfully isolated and analyzed oils from both pericarp and aleurone fractions.
- High levels of ferulate-phytosterol esters and a significant concentration of sitostanol were detected.
- These compounds were found to originate specifically from the aleurone cell layer.
Conclusions:
- The aleurone layer of corn hulls is the primary source of ferulate-phytosterol esters and sitostanol.
- This finding clarifies the cellular origin of important bioactive compounds previously identified in corn fiber oil.