A new method for isolating sterols from sunflower oil deodorizer distillate (DOD) was developed. The most salient feature of which is that, unlike most alternatives, it requires no distillation. Briefly, the method uses methanol in the presence of p-toluenesulphonic acid as catalyst to convert free fatty acids and acyl glycerides in DOD into fatty acid methyl esters (FAMES). The resulting glycerin and excess reagents are removed by washing with water and, finally, the product is cooled in the absence of solvents to obtain sterols in 92 +/- 2% purity. (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.