The uses and functions of ergosterol

Ergosterol; ergosterol picture Image: Ergosterol; Ergosterol structural formula Ergosterol is a precursor of vitamin D2. It can be converted into vitamin D2 after ultraviolet irradiation, prevent and treat infant rickets, and promote the absorption of calcium and phosphorus by pregnant women and the elderly. Ergosterol is also a raw material for the production of cortisone and progesterone. This is a very important drug. Monascus can produce ergosterol after fermentation, and some strains are close to the fermentation level of industrial yeast. Ergosterol can also be produced in the production of monascus pigment. Ergosterol is an important component of microbial cell membranes. It plays an important role in ensuring cell viability, membrane fluidity, membrane binding enzyme activity, membrane integrity, and cellular material transport. The most commonly used antifungal drugs are inhibitors designed for key enzymes required for ergosterol biosynthesis. They inhibit ergosterol synthesis by competitive binding with key enzymes, disrupting the cell membranes of fungi and inhibiting the growth and reproduction of fungi. Ergosterol enhances the body's ability to fight disease. It is an important source of fat-soluble vitamin D2 with obvious bacteriostatic and anti-tumor effects.