Determination of β-sitosterol and campesterol in cottonseed soapstock by HPLC

β-sitosterol and campesterol in cottonseed soapstock have been determined by HPLC. After soapstock was pretreated, the analysis was carried out on a RP-C 18 column with mobile phase of methanol and water (95/5, V/V), flow rate of 0.8 mL/min, and UV detection at 210 nm. The experimental results show that there is a good linear from 40.16 μg/mL to 240.96 μg/mL for β-sitosterol, and from 30.02 μg/mL to 181.2 μg/mL for campesterol, the average recoveries of which are 97.91% and 98.11%, respectively. This method is accurate with high repeatability, indicating its potential in assaying sterols in soapstock and other vegetable oil foots.