4-DEMETHYLSTEROLS AND TRITERPENE ALCOHOLS FROM 2 VANILLA BEAN SPECIES- VANILLA FRAGRANS AND V-TAHITENSIS

4-Demethylsterol and triterpene alcohol compositions of two Vanilla be an species (V. fragrans and V. tahitensis) were investigated. From ret ention times and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, nine 4-demethyl sterols were identified in V fragrans and seven in V. tahitensis. The 4-demethylsterol fraction of V fragrans was characterized by a high co ntent of 24-methylene cholesterol (27-40%) and of beta-sitosterol (35- 46%). The 4-demethylsterol fraction of V tahitensis was characterized by a high content of stigmasterol (27%) and of beta-sitosterol (57.5%) , and a lower amount of 24-methylene cholesterol (5%). Vanilla tahiten sis was also characterized by the presence of ergosta-5,25-dien-3 beta -ol (2%) and the absence of campesterol, stigmasta-5,22,25-trien-3 bet a-ol, and egosta-7,24(28)-dien-3 beta-ol. The beans' age modified the ratio 24-methylene cholesterol/beta-sitosterol in V. fragrans. Combini ng liquid chromatography and gas chromatography allowed the identifica tion of four other demethylsterols in V. fragrans (brassicasterol, 0.0 2%; stigmasta-5,23-dien-3 beta-ol, 1.43%; stigmasten-22-ol, 0.1%; and fucosterol, 0.5%) from the 4-demethylsterol fraction 24-Methylene chol esterol and beta-sitosterol were isolated, and their structures were c onfirmed by H-1 and C-13 nuclear magnetic resonance. Four triterpene a lcohols were identified in V fragrans, including cycloartenol (0.9-1.6 %) from the triterpene alcohol fraction, 24-dihydrotirucallol (17-23%) from the triterpene alcohol fraction, tirucall-7-en-3 beta-ol (6-7.5% ) from the triterpene alcohol fraction, and in a higher content cyclos adol (66-69%) from the triterpene alcohol fraction. The content ranges were studied as a function of the beans' age. Demethylsterol and trit erpene alcohols profile could be used for origin differentiation.