These images (from the Benecol site) show simplified versions of the molecular structure of cholesterol, and the plant sterol sitosterol and its derivative sitostanol. Most of the hydrogen atoms are not displayed, and the position of carbon atoms is at the end of each line section.
You can also see 3-dimensional structures of these molecules on this website.
What difference can you see between the cholesterol molecule and the sitosterol molecule?
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extra branch on chain on the top section - actually C2H5-
What difference can you see between the sitosterol molecule and the sitostanol molecule?
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No double bond in one of the rings (i.e. it is fully saturated).
What difference can you see between the sitostanol molecule and the sitostanyl oleate molecule?
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Long chain (oleic acid residue) attached to OH at bottom ring section.
How many extra carbons have been added?
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18 (17 in the chain, and one with =O group)
Why does the label on a yoghurt state "Plant sterol esters (1%)*", and underneath
"* equivalent to plant sterols (0.6%)" ?
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Plant sterol ester is 60% sterol and 40% fatty acid.