Plant cholesterol: important development in vaccine production

Researchers have succeeded in producing pharmaceutical cholesterol from plant-based raw materials using a highly effective process. This opens up new possibilities, especially in vaccine production. In this way, large quantities of the molecule, which is urgently needed for the production of mRNA-based vaccines, can be made available in the future.

Cholesterol: an essential building block in the lipid cocktail of vaccines

A so-called “lipid cocktail” is required for the administration of finished vaccines. An important component of this cocktail is cholesterol. Lipids are mostly water-insoluble natural substances. Together with the mRNA fragment, they form lipid nanoparticles that deliver the vaccine into the cells.

Synthetically manufactured cholesterol plays an important role here. It helps stabilize the lipid nanoparticles and release the vaccine into the cell.

No risk of contamination

So far, the required amounts of cholesterol come from animal sources. For example, they are obtained from the fat of sheep’s wool or from animal tissue. This procedure involves, among other things, the risk of transmitting spongiform encephalopathy, which can result in massive damage to the brain. However, undesirable immune reactions or a generally fluctuating product quality can also occur. These risks can be avoided in the synthetic production of cholesterol, since no impurities occur here.

Cfm Oskar Tropitzsch delivers research sets

Are you interested in small amounts of plant cholesterol for research purposes? Then we look forward to your inquiry.