Coprostanol

Coprostanol (also known as 5β-Cholestan-3β-ol) is a sterol that is often used as a biomarker in paleoclimate research. It is a type of cholesterol that is produced by bacteria in the gut during the digestion of food. Coprostanol is primarily found in human and animal feces, and can also be found in the environment in places such as soil and water.

Structure and Properties[edit | edit source]

Coprostanol has a similar structure to cholesterol, with the main difference being the orientation of the hydroxyl group at the 3-position. This small change in structure results in coprostanol being less absorbable by the body, and thus it is excreted in feces. The molecular formula of coprostanol is C27H48O.

Production and Metabolism[edit | edit source]

Coprostanol is produced in the gut by the action of gut bacteria on cholesterol. The bacteria reduce the double bond at the 5-position of cholesterol, resulting in the formation of coprostanol. This process is known as bacterial reduction.

Once formed, coprostanol is poorly absorbed by the body and is excreted in the feces. This is due to its reduced solubility in comparison to cholesterol.

Use in Paleoclimate Research[edit | edit source]

Coprostanol has been used as a biomarker in paleoclimate research. It is used to trace human and animal waste in the environment, which can provide information about past human and animal populations. The presence of coprostanol in sediment layers can indicate the presence of human or animal waste, which can be used to infer information about past populations and their activities.

Health Implications[edit | edit source]

While coprostanol is generally not harmful, high levels of it in the environment can indicate contamination with fecal matter, which can pose a health risk. It is therefore important to monitor levels of coprostanol in the environment, particularly in water sources.