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The Determination of Ergosterol in Environmental Samples. An Interdisciplinary Project Involving Techniques of Analytical and Organic Chemistry
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Abstract
In this undergraduate laboratory experiment, a naturally formed steroid that is an important environmental indicator of biological activity is extracted and quantified. The target compound is ergosterol, a steroid found only in fungi and an accepted measure of fungal biomass. Maple leaves were used as a representative sample, but the procedure can be extended to soils, fruits, and grains. The environmental sample is first saponified with methanolic KOH to release ergosterol from any bound forms. Next, the steroid is transferred into pentane to separate it from the polar components of the initial extract. After evaporation of the pentane, the residue containing the steroid is dissolved in methanol and filtered. This solution is analyzed on an HPLC instrument equipped with a reversed-phase column. Typical values for ergosterol in the maple leaf samples analyzed ranged from 22 to 240 μg/g of dry leaf. Leaves collected shortly after falling have low values, and those collected later have progressively higher values. The experiment has been tested in Analytical Chemistry, Environmental Chemistry, and Organic Chemistry classes and can be performed in two 3-hour laboratory periods.
Keywords (Domain):
Organic ChemistryKeywords (Subject):
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This article has been cited by 4 ACS Journal articles (4 most recent appear below).
Analysis of Ergosterol in Single Kernel and Ground Grain by Gas Chromatography−Mass Spectrometry
Yanhong Dong, Brian J. Steffenson, and Chester J. MirochaJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry2006 54 (12), 4121-4125Analysis of Ergosterol in Single Kernel and Ground Grain by Gas Chromatography−Mass Spectrometry
Yanhong Dong, Brian J. Steffenson, and Chester J. MirochaJournal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry2006 54 (12), 4121-4125A method for analyzing ergosterol in a single kernel and ground barley and wheat was developed using gas chromatographymass spectrometry (GC-MS). Samples were saponified in methanolic KOH. Ergosterol was extracted by one step hexane extraction and ...
Implementation of a Geographic Information System in the Chemistry Curriculum: An Exercise in Integrating Environmental Analysis and Assessment
Brigitte L. Ramos and Shelley Miller , Karl KorfmacherJournal of Chemical Education2003 80 (1), 50Implementation of a Geographic Information System in the Chemistry Curriculum: An Exercise in Integrating Environmental Analysis and Assessment
Brigitte L. Ramos and Shelley Miller , Karl KorfmacherJournal of Chemical Education2003 80 (1), 50The rate of nonlinear sediment deposition in a local pond was determined through the application of Geographic Information System (GIS) software to an established laboratory method. Determination of total sediment deposition is difficult to solve using a ...
An Integration of Chemistry, Biology, and Physics: The Interdisciplinary Laboratory
Gerald R. Van Hecke and Kerry K. Karukstis , Richard C. Haskell , Catherine S. McFadden , F. Sheldon WettackJournal of Chemical Education2002 79 (7), 837An Integration of Chemistry, Biology, and Physics: The Interdisciplinary Laboratory
Gerald R. Van Hecke and Kerry K. Karukstis , Richard C. Haskell , Catherine S. McFadden , F. Sheldon WettackJournal of Chemical Education2002 79 (7), 837As a new venture to integrate research and education, a pilot section of a first-year laboratory sequence known as the Interdisciplinary Laboratory (ID Lab) was introduced on the Harvey Mudd campus during the 1999–2000 academic year and continues to be ...
The Combined Effects of pH and Percent Methanol on the HPLC Separation of Benzoic Acid and Phenol
Seema M. Joseph and John A. PalasotaJournal of Chemical Education2001 78 (10), 1381The Combined Effects of pH and Percent Methanol on the HPLC Separation of Benzoic Acid and Phenol
Seema M. Joseph and John A. PalasotaJournal of Chemical Education2001 78 (10), 1381The effect of varying mobile-phase pH and percent methanol on the reversed-phase HPLC separation of benzoic acid and phenol is investigated. Both analytes are of interest owing to their classification as moderate environmental and health hazards. Baseline ...
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- Received: August 03, 2009
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