Abstract
The biosynthesis of sterols, squalene and triterpenic alcohols from an acetate 1, 2-14C has been investigated in Stichopus juponicus. The holothurian does not incorporate the acetate neither into sterols nor into the triterpenic alcohols; however, squalene was labelled in this experiment.
It is suggested that holothurins have an exogenous origin, or are transformation products from constituents of foods
