Artificial preparation, biosynthetic, health effects, and applications of phytosterol and phytosterol ester: A review

Phytosterols are a class of plant-derived steroids that possess a variety of health benefits. However, their application is limited by inadequate oil solubility and limited bioaccessibility. Consequently, numerous studies have focused on modifying the structure of phytosterols to address these limitations. However, only the phytosterols and phytosterol esters (PEs) have been recognized for their safety in many countries and region globally. Therefore, this review focuses on the latest research progress and findings concerning the artificial preparation of PEs in the past five years. A comprehensive evaluation has been conducted by comparing the advantages and disadvantages of different preparation methods. Although recent evidence has revealed multiple functional properties of phytosterols, such as cholesterol-lowering, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant effects, a more in-depth exploration of the mechanistic understanding of these properties is required. In particular, the review describes the significant role of phytosterols and PEs in applications such as foods, skin care products and pharmaceuticals. In the future, it is necessary to scientifically design eco-friendly and high-efficiency PE preparation methods to broaden their application and enhance their value.