cholesterol (plant) 700100 Cholesterol (plant)

Cholesterol (plant-derived) is a plant-sourced sterol with the molecular formula C₂₇H₄₆O and a molecular weight of 386.65.  Although animal systems are the first to come to mind regarding sterols, it also appears in trace amounts in plant surface lipids; this material is isolated to provide a non-animal-derived alternative without altering its chemical identity.

From a structural standpoint, there is no distinction between plant- and animal-derived cholesterol. The molecule behaves identically in lipid assemblies—interacting with phospholipids, influencing membrane order, and contributing to bilayer organization under a wide range of experimental conditions.

In lipid systems, cholesterol plays a defining role. It modulates membrane packing, thickness, and lateral mobility while supporting the formation of ordered microdomains often associated with lipid raft structures. These effects carry directly into nanoparticle design. Cholesterol is a major component, often around 40%mol, in clinically validated LNP systems, including those used in COVID-19 mRNA vaccines, where it contributes to particle stability and intracellular delivery performance.

If you’re a researcher working under animal-free constraints, plant-derived cholesterol provides a non-animal-derived, non-TSE/BSE-risk material, aligning with regulations for modern drug delivery development.

Applications

• Membrane structure studies: Used to examine bilayer organization, lipid phase behavior, and sterol-phospholipid interactions in model systems such as vesicles and supported membranes.
• Lipid nanoparticle (LNP) development: Incorporated into LNP formulations to improve structural stability, assist membrane fusion, and support intracellular delivery mechanisms.
• Animal-free formulation workflows: Selected for research and development programs requiring non-animal-derived materials, including applications with regulatory or sourcing constraints.

Formulation & handling

Cholesterol (plant) from Avanti Research™ readily dissolves in chloroform and ethanol, allowing straightforward integration into lipid mixtures. Store the material at -20 °C, protected from both light and moisture, to preserve integrity over time. The product is supplied as a powder and maintains stability for up to two years under recommended conditions.

Avanti Research™ supplies Cholesterol (plant) at greater than 98% purity, making it suitable for controlled formulation work and reproducible membrane studies. As a trusted, long-standing supplier to both academic laboratories and pharmaceutical development teams worldwide, we're recognized for our consistent lipid manufacturing standards.