The policosanol (13–16) contents were determined by GC using
5a-cholestane as the internal standard. An aliquot (0.5 g) of the
extracted lipid extract, 5% pyrogallol solution (2 mL) in EtOH, and
EtOH (20 mL) were placed in a 100 mL flat-bottomed flask fitted
with a reflux condenser and heated on a hot plate. When the
mixture started boiling, the condenser was removed and 50%
aqueous potassium hydroxide (1 mL) was added. Each sample
was saponified for 5 min under the same conditions. After