1. Basic Information & Chemical Properties

  • Chemical Name: Cholesterol (also known as Cholesterin)
  • CAS Number: 57-88-5
  • Molecular Formula: C₂₇H₄₆O
  • Molecular Weight: 386.65
  • Physical Properties:
    • Appearance: White or pale yellow crystalline powder, odorless with a bitter taste.
    • Stability: Stable at room temperature.
    • Solubility:
      • Insoluble in water;
      • Freely soluble in organic solvents (e.g., ethanol, diethyl ether, chloroform).

2. Physiological Roles & Functions

  • Cell Membrane Structure:
    • Essential component of cell membranes (>20% content), maintains membrane fluidity and structural integrity.
  • Hormone Synthesis:
    • Precursor for steroid hormones (e.g., cortisol, sex hormones) and vitamin D synthesis.
  • Bile Acid Production:
    • Precursor of bile acids, facilitates fat digestion and absorption.
  • Lipid Metabolism Regulation:
    • HDL-C (High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol): Removes cholesterol from blood vessels, reducing atherosclerosis risk.
    • LDL-C (Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol): Excessive levels lead to arterial plaque formation and cardiovascular diseases.

3. Applications

  1. Pharmaceutical Industry:
    • Raw material for synthesizing hormones (e.g., adrenocortical hormones), vitamin D, and bile acids.
    • Used as an emulsifier or stabilizer in lipid-based drug carriers (e.g., liposomes, emulsions).
    • Excipient in pharmaceutical formulations.
  2. Food & Nutraceuticals:
    • Functional foods fortified with phytosterols (e.g., β-sitosterol) to competitively inhibit intestinal cholesterol absorption.

4. Production & Supply

  • Source: Extracted from animal tissues (e.g., brain, spinal cord, egg yolk).
  • Key Manufacturer:
    • Qinghai Xidu Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.: Supplies pharmaceutical-grade cholesterol, intermediates, and derivatives.