The sterol chemistry of salps: the occurrence and distribution of saturated sterols

Abstract

Three species of salps(Pegea confoederata, Salpa maxima,and S.fusiformis)from the Western Mediterranean have been analysed for their general biochemical composition and their detailed sterol chemistry. In particular the distribution of saturated sterols in various tissues of the salps has been studied. The results suggests that dietary phytoplankton exerts a major influence on the tissue sterol composition of the salps, although the presence of occelesterol and saturated sterols in the salps cannot be explained on the basis of diet. Possible explanations for the occurrence and distribution of the saturated sterols are considered.