VARIATION IN THE AMOUNTS OF GLUCOSIDE AND LIPID PHYTOSTEROLS IN DIGITALIS PURPUREA DURING GERMINATION

Abstract

The amounts and relative proportions of both lipid and glucoside phytosterols from Digitalis purpurea L. have been studied during germination of the seeds. With both fractions the seeds acted as a store of sterol material, which was utilised during germination, until the cotyledons and the first true leaves produced chlorophyll pigments. At this stage biosynthesis of phytosterols kept pace with tissue growth. There appeared to be a relationship between the production of stigma–sterol and β–sitosterol by the seedlings. The relative proportions of the former increased as those of the latter decreased. 24–methylene–cholesterol was isolated from the lipid fraction only, and this compound gradually disappeared during germination. The proportions of cholesterol and campesterol were similar from both fractions and decreased slightly during the growth of the seedlings.