Stanol composition and the use thereof

Abstract

A stanol composition containing in addition to sitostanol as the main component, also a substantial amount of at least 10% campestanol has been found to effectively lower serum cholesterol levels when incorporated in edible commodities. Upon esterification the composition is especially useful in edible fats and oils and in fat-containing foods.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A composition of plant stanols for use as a serum cholesterol level lowering substance and comprising sitostanol, the composition further comprising at least 10% campestanol obtained by hydrogenation of a phytostanol mixture.  
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , comprising from 20% to 40%, preferably from 25% to 35% campestanol.  
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1  or  2 , comprising from 50% to 80% of sitostanol.  
     
     
         4 . A composition of plant stanol fatty acid esters comprising a sitostanol fatty acid ester for use as a serum cholesterol level lowering substance, the composition further comprising at least 10% of a campestanol fatty acid ester.  
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 4 , comprising from 20% to 40%, preferably from 25% to 35%, e.g. about 30% of the campestanol fatty acid ester.  
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 4  or  5 , comprising from 50% to 80% of the sitostanol fatty acid ester.  
     
     
         7 . The use of a composition of any of  claims 1  to  6  as such or as part of the diet, e.g. in fat-containing foods, to be consumed for lowering serum cholesterol levels.  
     
     
         8 . A food substance containing a plant stanol composition comprising sitostanol or a fatty acid ester thereof effective in lowering serum cholesterol levels, the composition further comprising a substantial amount of campestanol or a fatty acid ester thereof such that the weight ratio of campestanol or its fatty acid ester to sitostanol or its fatty acid ester is from 1:9 to 4:6.  
     
     
         9 . The food substance of  claim 8 , wherein said weight ratio is from 2:8 to 3.5:6.5.  
     
     
         10 . The use of a phytosterol mixture, comprising in addition to sitosterol a substantial amount of campesterol, as a raw material for producing a serum cholesterol level lowering composition or food substance according to any of  claims 1  to  6 ,  8  and  9 .