RESUMEN
Objective To analyze the phytosterol content in plant materials commonly used in functional food in China.Method Thirty kinds of food commonly used as medicines and forty kinds of Chinese herbs were chosen as samples.The contents of phytosterols(?-sitosterol,campesterol,stigmasterol,?-sitostanol) were analyzed by GC methods established by our laboratory.Results The frequency of various plant materials used in functional food was different,e-g.hawthorn about 408 times and huangqi 342 times.Phytosterols were contained in all samples analyzed,but were different in contents,some less than 10mg/100g while some more than 380mg/100g.In most samples,?-sitosterol is the largest portion of total phytosterol.Conclusion The phytosterols are important functional ingredients in plant materials frequently used in Chinese traditional medicine.The data of phytosterol contents in plant materials are valuable for utilization and further study in functional food.