Abstract: | Thirty-two sterols are identified in the sponge Hyrtios sp. In addition to fourteen monohydroxylated compounds, the sterol fraction contains eight functionalized sidechain sterols, three of them new: 3 β-hydroxy-24-norchol-5-en-23-al (19) , (22-trans)-3 β-hydroxycholest-5, 22-dien-24-one (20) and (22R, 23R, 24S) or (22S, 23S, 24S)- 22,23-epoxy-24-methylchoest-5-en-3 β-ol (24). The probable biological origin, rather than artifact production, of these undescribed components is discussed. |