Sterol composition of black cumin (Nigella sativa L.) and Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis Mill.) seed oils

Oils extracted from Tunisian and Iranian Nigella seeds (TNS and INS, respectively) and Tunisian Aleppo pine seeds were analysed for sterol composition. These components could have many health benefits, especially in lowering LDL-cholesterol and preventing heart disease. The highest level of total unsaponifiable matter was found in Pinus seed oil (17.23 g/kg oil, compared to 15.58 oil and 14.82 g/kg oil in TNS and INS seed oils, respectively). The total sterol content in the three studied oils represented 18.03%, 17.41% and 42.66% of the unsaponifiable matter, respectively. β-Sitosterol was the major sterol in all oils with 44%, 54% and 74% of the total sterols in Tunisian and Iranian Nigella seed oils and Pinus seed oil, respectively. The next major sterol was stigmasterol in both Nigella seed oils studied (16.57–20.92% of total sterols) and campesterol in Pinus seed oil (11.42% of total sterols). TMS 484, Δ7-stigmasterol, Δ7-avenasterol and cholesterol were detected at lower levels. The high level of β-sitosterol in Pinus seed oil could make it the most suitable and effective for lowering blood cholesterol and preventing coronary heart disease.