nature of sterol esterification in the sea star asterias rubens

Variation in the rate of esterification of [4-14C] cholesterol with the fatty acids were found in Asterias rubens. In 24 hour incubation about equal proportions of saturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids were esterified. In 7 days polyunsaturated fatty acids showed a greater affinity than any other class, while in 72 days saturated moieties were favoured more than polyunsaturated components. Most probably seasonal variations effect the extent of esterification of sterols. 0.5 alpha-Cholest-7-4beta-ol known as the major constituent of the free sterols of Asterias rubens was also the principal component of the steryl esters