Extracellular Secondary Metabolite Production by the Marine Dinoflagellate Prorocentrum minimum in Culture

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Abstract
Marine dinoflagellates produce extracellular secondary metabolites that may play a role in the ecology of the producing species. The concentration of 1 such external metabolite, 1-(2,6,6-trimethyl-4-hydroxycyclohexenyl)-1,3-butanedione, produced by the marine dinoflagellate P. minimum, was determined quantitatively during exponential growth and during senescence in phosphate-starved batch cultures. The pattern of production is similar to the production of many bacterial toxins. There was little production of the .beta.-diketone during the exponential growth period, and highest production occurred within 1 wk after cessation of cell division. About 50% of the total .beta.-diketone produced was excreted on a single day, 6 days after phosphate became limiting to growth. Cell lysis or photodestruction of carotenoids do not appear to be the source of this compound.