Occurrence of 24(E)-ethylidene sterols in two solanaceae seed oils and rice bran oil

The occurrence of two 24 (E)-ethylidene sterols, fucosterol and 28-isocitrostadienol, in the unsaponifiable matters of two Solanaceae seed oils fromDatura stramonium andCapsicum annuum, and rice bran oil from the seeds ofOryza sativa (Gramineae) was demonstrated by their isolation or by gas liquid chromatography. AlthoughZ-isomers of the above two 24-ethylidene sterols, 28-isofucosterol and citrostadienol, are a frequent occurrence in higher plant materials including some Solanaceae seed oils and rice bran oil, the report might be the second instance of the unambiguous demonstration of the occurrence of the 24(E)-ethylidene sterols in higher plants.