Sterol Accumulation and Composition in Developing Zea mays L. Kernels

Kernels were collected from three maize (Zea mays L.) inbreds from 10 days after pollination until kernel maturity. Sitosterol, campesterol, and stigmasterol were the major sterols at all stages of kernel development. Cholesterol was less than 1% of the dry weight. The three major sterols accumulated during kernel development, but at a rate slower than dry weight. The ratio of the sterols did not vary greatly among the inbreds. At maturity, the three inbreds, Wf9, Oh43, and Ky226, had sterol levels of 325, 228, and 173 micrograms per kernel, respectively. Sitosterol accounted for 75 to 85% of the sterol. The relative amount of stigmasterol decreased during the linear phase of development, while sitosterol increased in the free fraction and campesterol increased in the steryl ester fraction.Free sterols and steryl esters were the major sterol fractions and steryl glycosides and acylated steryl glycosides were only minor components during kernel development. Free sterol content decreased rapidly in two maize inbreds between 10 and 26 days after pollination, but partially recovered in one of the inbreds during final stages of development. In the same two inbreds the steryl ester content reached a maximum during the late stages of linear kernel growth.