Phytosterols are important dietary components that contribute to reducing serum cholesterol levels. The
objective of this research was to assess genetic diversity for total content and profile of free and esterified phytosterols
in a world germplasm collection of almond [Prunus amygdalus Batsch; syn. P. dulcis (Mill.) D.A. Webb]. Steryl
glycosides and acylated steryl glycosides were not measured. Fruit from 160 almond accessions were collected in 2009
and 2010. Kernel phytosterol content ranged from 1126 to 2769 mgkgL1 in 2009 and from 1191 to 2777 mgkgL1 in
2010. The phytosterol fraction was mainly made up of b-sitosterol (from 59.1% to 84.1% in 2009 and from 55.9% to
84.6% in 2010) and D5
-avenasterol (from 8.9% to 25.4% in 2009 and from 8.5% to 28.2% in 2010). Significant
genotypic effects were observed for kernel phytosterol content and concentration of major phytosterols. Kernel oil
content was positively correlated with kernel phytosterol content in both years. The results suggested that almond
germplasm contains genetic variability for both phytosterol content and profile that can be used for developing
cultivars with increased levels of phytosterols and contrasting phytosterol profiles. Positive correlation between
kernel phytosterol content and kernel oil content suggests the feasibility of simultaneous selection for both traits.Publishe
