ABSTRACT
Purpose The aim is to compare the sterols in Hericium crinaceus ethanol extract and water extract from solid fermented hyphae and to study the pharmaceutical chemical basis of the different medicinal effects. Methods The nonsaponifiable lipids were isolated by saponification.The sterols were then detected by TLC and RP-HPLC.Results The content of sterols in ethanol extract was found to be higher than that in water extract.And one type of sterols from Hericium erinaceus hyphae was identified as ergosterol.Conclusion Due to ergosterol′s multifunction in biological activities,it may well be one of the active components of hyphae.And higher content of lipids, especially sterols may be one of the reasons for the better medicinal effect of ethanol extract than water extract.