ergosterol

American  

[ur-gos-tuh-rohl, -rawl] / ɜrˈgɒs təˌroʊl, -rɔl /

noun

Biochemistry.

1. a colorless, crystalline, water-insoluble sterol, C 28 H 43 OH, that occurs in ergot and yeast and that, when irradiated with ultraviolet light, is converted to vitamin D.

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ergosterol British  

/ ɜːˈɡɒstəˌrɒl /

noun

1. a plant sterol that is converted into vitamin D by the action of ultraviolet radiation. Formula: C 28 H 43 OH

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Etymology

Origin of ergosterol

First recorded in 1885–90; ergo- ² + sterol