Marine sterols. Coprostanols and 4α-methyl sterols from mediterranean tunicates

Abstract

1. 1. The composition of the sterol mixture from four ascidians, Halocynthia papillosa, Microcosmus sulcatus, Microcosmus savignyi, and Styela plicata, collected in the bay of Naples, was investigated. The single sterols have been identified by mass and NMR analyses. 2. 2. The mixture was found to contain coprostanols “5β-stanols” in addition to regular (4-demethyl) sterols. 3. 3. Styela plicata also contains, in relatively large amounts, dinosterol, typical dinoflagellate sterol.