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.
