A comparative study of the glycoside fractions of some holothurians found in Sri Lankan waters

Abstract

Glycoside fractions from ten holothurians were isolated and subjected to a comparative examination. All ten species contained holothurin A. Except .Vglorhurio edulis and Havelockia versicolor all other species were found to contain holothurin B. The acid hydrolysis of glycoside fractions of all species examined yielded mainly two genins (22,25epoxy-7. 9 (1 1) holostadien-3-17-diol and its d e o x~a n a l o~u e) and four sugars namely glucose, xylose. 3-0-methyl glucose agd quinovoce.