Brassicasterol (C28 Δ6,22 Phytosterol · Brassica/Algal Sterol · Cholesterol-lowering)
| Compound | Brassicasterol (24-Methylenecholesterol; 22-Dehydrocampesterol) |
| Chemical class | Terpenoid — Phytosterol (C28 Δ22 plant sterol; Brassica-characteristic sterol) |
| CAS | 474-67-9 |
| Primary source | Rapeseed / canola oil (Brassica napus), marine microalgae; Brassica vegetables |
| Key applications | Cholesterol-lowering (phytosterol class); marine origin marker; algal omega-3 co-constituent; anti-inflammatory |
| Claim strength | Moderate |
| Typical form | Phytosterol blend (brassicasterol ~5–10% of commercial phytosterol 95% blends) |
| Buy from Herbuno | Natural Phytosterol 95% Powder → |
Name origin: From Brassica (the mustard/cabbage genus). Brassicasterol is a C28 phytosterol with both a 24-methyl group (like campesterol) and a C-22 double bond (like stigmasterol) — combining structural features of both. This dual unsaturation makes it more structurally unique than either campesterol or stigmasterol. Marine significance: Brassicasterol is a characteristic sterol of marine organisms — diatoms and other marine microalgae produce brassicasterol as their dominant sterol. This makes brassicasterol a forensic marker for marine algal biomass in sediment cores — used in palaeoceanography to reconstruct historical marine productivity. The presence of brassicasterol in marine fish oil and algal omega-3 products is therefore expected and nutritionally complementary. Traditional use: No specific traditional use context — brassicasterol is a dietary component from Brassica vegetables (broccoli, kale, mustard) and marine fish/algae consumption. Its clinical significance is as part of the phytosterol complex rather than independently. Commercial source: Herbuno Natural Phytosterol 95% blend contains brassicasterol as a minor constituent alongside beta-sitosterol, campesterol, and stigmasterol.
Evidence for Brassicasterol Applications
Cholesterol-lowering — phytosterol class (High via class; Moderate specifically): Brassicasterol participates in the phytosterol LDL-lowering mechanism (intestinal micelle competition) alongside beta-sitosterol, campesterol, and stigmasterol. No clinical trials have isolated brassicasterol’s independent LDL-lowering contribution from the phytosterol blend. Claim strength: High (phytosterol class); Moderate (brassicasterol-specific).
Anti-inflammatory: Brassicasterol inhibits NF-κB and COX-2 in macrophage cell models with activity comparable to other C28–C29 phytosterols. Claim strength: Moderate.
Marine biomarker significance: In algal omega-3 supplements (from Nannochloropsis, Schizochytrium, and other marine microalgae), brassicasterol is present as the natural sterol co-constituent. This makes brassicasterol a quality marker — its presence confirms algal origin vs fish-derived omega-3 — relevant for vegan omega-3 product authentication. Commercial quality reference.
Natural Phytosterol 95% Powder →
Browse Standardised Extract Powders →
Frequently Asked Questions — Brassicasterol
Is brassicasterol from plants or marine organisms?
Both. In the terrestrial plant kingdom, brassicasterol is particularly abundant in Brassica species (rapeseed, canola, mustard, broccoli). In the marine environment, brassicasterol is the characteristic sterol of diatoms and many other marine microalgae — making it both a plant-derived phytosterol and a marine algal sterol depending on the source. This dual occurrence means brassicasterol may be the only sterol simultaneously classified as a phytosterol and a marine algal biomarker.
What does brassicasterol content tell you about a phytosterol supplement?
The relative proportions of phytosterols in a blend reflect the raw material source. High brassicasterol content suggests rapeseed/canola oil as the primary phytosterol source; high campesterol and low brassicasterol suggests other vegetable oil sources (soy, sunflower). Commercial phytosterol blends can be sourced from tall oil (pine wood pulp process), soy oil, canola oil, or sunflower oil — each with different phytosterol profiles. Brassicasterol typically comprises 5–15% of canola-derived phytosterol blends and is a minor constituent in soy-derived blends.
Is brassicasterol present in broccoli and other Brassica vegetables?
Yes — broccoli, kale, Brussels sprouts, mustard, and rapeseed contain brassicasterol as a minor sterol fraction. However, the absolute amounts from typical servings of Brassica vegetables are small — a 100g serving of broccoli provides approximately 1–5 mg total phytosterols (of which brassicasterol is a small fraction), well below the 2g/day total phytosterol dose associated with LDL-lowering in clinical trials. The phytosterol LDL-lowering benefit requires concentrated supplement or fortified food formats.
Does the C-22 double bond in brassicasterol affect its pharmacology?
The C-22 double bond (shared with stigmasterol) may contribute marginally different receptor interaction and membrane incorporation properties compared to campesterol (no C-22 double bond). As with stigmasterol, the C-22 double bond makes brassicasterol a potential pharmaceutical precursor for certain steroid syntheses via ozonolysis. For supplement pharmacology, the differences between brassicasterol and campesterol are likely minor — both are C28 phytosterols with overlapping LDL-lowering and anti-inflammatory mechanisms.
Related compounds: Campesterol, Stigmasterol, Fucoxanthin, Beta-Sitosterol
Claim-strength scale – High = multiple human RCTs; Moderate = limited trials or strong preclinical convergence; Emerging = early-stage lab or animal data.
← HerbIQ Compound Index · HerbIQ P02: Extraction · HerbIQ P03: Delivery