STEROLS IN LEAVES OF CHEIRODENDRON GAUDICHAUDII TREE AND THEIR RELATIONSHIP TO HAWAIIAN DROSOPHILA ECOLOGY

Green leaves and leaves in various stages of decay of the Cheirodendron gaudichaudii tree have been analysed for sterols, triterpenes, and fatty acids. The non-saponifiable fractions contained cycloartenol with smaller quantities of β-sitosterol and stigmasterol. The fatty acid fraction was composed principally of palmitic, linoleic, and linolenic acids. These results, together with those of previous workers, suggest that rotting cheirodendron leaves are good hosts for Hawaiian Drosophila because of their physical nature rather than their biochemical content. © 1969.