STEROLS OF THE SPONGES (PORIFERA, CLASS DEMOSPONGIAE)

1. 1. The sterol composition of six species of the sponges (class Demospongiae) was examined mainly by using GLC and silver nitrate-impregnated silicic acid chromatography. 2. 2. In the sponges of the order Haplosclerina, Gelliodes fibulata contained cholestanol (41.8% of total sterols) as the most abundant sterols, but Gelliodes gracilis and Cerachalina reticutis possessed 24-methylenecholest-5-enol and cholest-5-enol as the major sterols. 3. 3. As to the sponges of the order Poecilosclerina, Petrosia sp. contained cholesta-5,22-dienol and cholest-5-enol as the major sterols, whereas Agelas mauritiana possessed 24-methylcholest-5-enol, 24-ethylcholest-5-enol, 24-methylenecholest-5-enol besides cholest-5-enol. 4. 4. The sponge, Hymeniacidon perlevis (order Halichondrina), contained large amounts of stanols with 3β-hydroxymethyl-A-nor-sterane nucleus besides conventional sterols such as cholest-5-enol and 24-methylcholest-5-enol. © 1979.