Investigations of the capacity of synthesizing 3β-sterols in mollusca—XIII. Biosynthesis and composition of sterols in some bivalves (Anisomyaria)

Abstract

1. The incorporation of sodium acetate-1- or -2-¹⁴C into some lipid classes of the anisomyarian bivalves Mytilus edulis, Atrina fragilis and Ostrea edulis was investigated. 2. It was demonstrated that the acetate was utilized for the biosynthesis of both saponifiable and non-saponifiable lipids. 3. Squalene could not be detected by means of gas-liquid chromatography. 4. Sterols were not synthesized by the animals during the experiments. 5. The sterol composition of the animals was determined. Sterols with 27 carbon atoms were the main ones (45-50 per cent), followed by those with 28 carbon atoms (35-37 per cent). Cholesterol and brassicasterol were quantitatively the most important sterols.