Sterols of Goniotrichum elegans

The sterol fraction was examined from cultures of the filamentous red alga Goniotrichum elegans. Brassicasterol accounted for nearly half of the total sterol and was accompanied by cholesterol (24%) as well as a number of minor components. This is the first record of brassicasterol as a major sterol in the Rhodophycophyta. The occurrence of this C₂₈ major sterol may be of taxonomic importance in determining the relationship of the Goniotrichales to the other red algae of which have C₂₇ major sterols.