α-Spinasterol is a

stigmastane Stigmastane or 24''R''-ethylcholestane is a tetracyclic triterpene, along with cholestane and ergostane, this sterane is used as a biomarker for early eukaryotes. File:5α-Stigmastane.svg, 5α-Stigmastane File:5β-Stigmastane.svg, 5β-Stigmasta ...

-type

phytosterol Phytosterols are phytosteroids, similar to cholesterol, that serve as structural components of biological membranes of plants. They encompass plant sterols and stanols. More than 250 sterols and related compounds have been identified. Free phyt ...

found in a variety of plant sources such as

spinach Spinach (''Spinacia oleracea'') is a leafy green flowering plant native to central and western Asia. It is of the order Caryophyllales, family Amaranthaceae, subfamily Chenopodioideae. Its leaves are a common edible vegetable consumed either f ...

, from which it gets its name. The chemical was recently found in ''

Gordonia ceylanica ''Gordonia ceylanica'' is a species of plant in the family Theaceae. It is endemic to Sri Lanka. Culture It is known as "සුදු මිහිරිය - sudu mihiriya" in Sinhala. Chemical constituents The plant contains the oleanane-type ...

'', the first time that this chemical was found in the ''Gordonia'' species.

See also

References

Further reading