STEROLS AND FATTY-ACIDS IN ZOOPLANKTON OF THE GULF OF TRIESTE

Zooplankton composition (according to prevailing systematic group and feeding type) was determined in samples collected in autumn, spring an d summer in the Gulf of Trieste. Concentrations of total lipids, stero ls and fatty acids were determined in the same samples. Total lipids a re higher in August, lower in December and intermediate in May; concen trations of sterols show the reverse tendency. Cholesterol is the domi nant sterol in our samples with percentages from 60 to 80% but numerou s other sterols have also been identified. Amongst identified fatty ac ids, 14:0 predominates in December, 22:6 in May and 22:1 in August.