In Vivo Transformation of Ergosterol to Cholesterol in Crab, Portunus trituberculatus

Abstract

In the present study, the bioconversion of the dietary ergosterol in the crab, Portunus trituberculatus, was investigated. After the supplementation of the diet containing ¹⁴C-ergosterol to the crabs, the sterols were isolated from the tissues of crabs. The isolated sterol was found to contain only cholesterol as a sterol and revealed relatively high radio-activity. In column chromatography on a silver nitrate-impregnated silicic acid as acetate, the ¹⁴C-cholesterol gave one radioactive peak corresponding to cholesteryl acetate. During the recrystallizations, the ¹⁴C-cholesteryl acetate showed the constant specific activity (dpm/mg).
These results indicated that the dietary ergosterol is bioconverted to cholesterol in the crab, Portunus trituberculatus.