Extraction, Purification and Characterisation of Dragendorff-positive Compounds from Some British Marine Algae

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
Methods are described for the extraction and purification of quaternary ammonium compounds and other Dragendorff-positive substances from marine algae, and their preliminary characterization studied using TLC and electrophoresis. The distribution of these compounds in 9 spp. of British marine algae was studied. From Ulva rigida, 3-dimethylsulfoniopropionate was isolated; the same compound was detected chromatographically in U. lactua, Enteromorpha compressa and E. intestinalis. From Cladophora rupestris and Spyridia filamentosa glycine betaine was isolated; choline was detected also in the latter species. From Cystoseira baccata glycine betaine was isolated and the presence of both .beta.-alanine betaine and .gamma.-butyrobetaine was suggested from TLC evidence. The same 3 betaines were detected chromatographically in extracts of both Cystoseira nodicaulis and C. tamariscifolia.