Chemistry of Coelenterates. 1. Occurrence of Terpenoid Compounds in Gorgonians
Ciereszko LS, Sifford DH, Weinheimer AJ. 1960. Chemistry of Coelenterates. 1. Occurrence of Terpenoid Compounds in Gorgonians. Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. 90(3):917-919
As part of a study of the comparative biochemistry of marine invertebrates, we have examined a number of gorgonians (class Anthozoa; subclass Alcyonaria; order Gorgonacea) for the occurrence of nonlipid organic compounds. From certain species we have obtained crystalline as well as liquid substances that seem to be terpenoid compounds. These substances appear to account for the antibiotic activity of gorgonian extracts/ for part of the odor of the animals, and for the irritation of skin and eyes caused by handling gorgonians. Yields of the crystalline compounds ranged from 0.005 to 1.5 per cent of the dry weight of gorgonian cortex. The infrared spectra of the solid compounds show strong absorption in the carbonyl region, and the compounds appear to be lactones. The nonlipid oils obtained from the animals are unsaturated hydrocarbons with an admixture of ketonic material.
- Type
- Journal Article
- Authors
- Ciereszko, Leon; Sifford, Dewey; Weinheimer, Alfred
- Units
- SFCN
- Keywords
- Crystalline, infrared spectra, Nonlipid Oils, Organic Compounds, Unsaturated Hydrocarbons