High Content of Cholesterol in the Lipid of Acacia farnesiana Leaves

Research Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, S. V. College, Aligarh-202 001

Manuscript received 6 November 1981, accepted 21 July 1982

The lipidic composition of the leaves of \(Acacia\) \(farnesiana\) has been determined using gas liquid chromatographic techniques. The light petroleum extract has been found to contain \(n\)-alkanes (C₂₁ - C₂₂) with maximum occurrence of \(n\)-\(nonacosane\) (60%), \(triacontanol \) and \(phytosterols\) cholesterol (8.7%), campesterol (21.6%), stigmasterol (37.2%) and sitosterol (32.4%). Occurrence of this relatively large amount of cholesterol (8.7%) In plants is an unique finding.