Effect of Sterols on the Permeability of Alcohol-Treated Red Beet Tissue

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Abstract
Alcohols and hydrogen peroxide altered the permeability of membranes of Beta vulgaris root cells. Generally alcohols increased the permeability of membranes without going through an induction period except methanol which required a 10- to 15-hour induction period. The membrane effect of methanol could be inhibited with CaCl2, cholesterol, β-sitosterol, and stigmasterol. Cholesterol was the most effective inhibitor, followed by β-sitosterol and stigmasterol; and at the same concentration, the sterols were more effective than CaCl2, the classic membrane stabilizer.