Cholesterol is synthesised by the liver and it releases to the blood. Cholesterol is an essential nutrient for the synthesis of steroid hormones and vitamin D. cholesterol is also a part of cell membrane .the normal level of cholesterol in our body is 150 -220 mg/100ml blood. The over cholesterol accumulation in the body may leads to heart diseases. The estimation of cholesterol is important for predicting heart diseases.

The method used for cholesterol estimation is Liebermann Burchard test. In this method acetic acid – acetic anhydride mixture is used to precipitate protein and to extract cholesterol from the sample of serum. It is then treated with libermann burchard reagent , a green color is produced. The intensity of color depends on the cholesterol content. The instrument used for find intensity of color is calorimeter.

Hypercholesterolemia

The disease is due to high level of cholesterol in the blood .it is due to the excessive intake of ghee , butter, eggs, and oils. The excess cholesterol may deposited in the arterial walls leading to arterioscleroids, atheroscleroids , heart disease, high blood pressure etc.