Quantification of plant sterols/stanols in foods and dietary supplements containing added phytosterols

Plant sterols and plant stanols, collectively referred to as phytosterols, are currently added to conventional foods and dietary supplements for the purpose of reducing the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD). The objective of the present study was to validate a method for the determination of the content and composition of plant sterols/stanols in foods and dietary supplements containing added phytosterols. Chromatographic conditions with this method permitted the near-baseline resolution of the five major phytosterols (campesterol, campestanol, stigmasterol, β-sitosterol, sitostanol) that are the subject of the United States Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) health claim on the relationship between phytosterols and reduced risk of CHD. Analyzed samples (n = 25) showed total phytosterol contents that varied from 0.2 to 55.2 g/100 g, or 0.02 to 2.3 g/serving. The mean total phytosterol content was 105 ± 14% of label declarations (range: 83-137%). Thirteen (13) products (52%) carried the FDA's health claim. This work is the first to evaluate the content and composition of phytosterols from the wide variety of products containing added phytosterols currently available in the United States and their use of the FDA's health claim for phytosterols and reduced risk of CHD.