Secondary Metabolites from the Green Macroalgae of the Genus Caulerpa

After the accidental introduction into the
Mediterranean Sea in 1984, Caulerpa taxifolia (Vahl)
C. Agardh became invasive. Based on screening assays,
it is assumed that a major factor for survival and/or
invasion is a potent chemical defence system that
produces toxic secondary metabolites. Various studies
provide evidence that the main secondary metabolite
in Caulerpa taxifolia, Caulerpenyne, is a bioactive
substance with strong toxicological effects. These
recent studies suggest the potential use of marine
natural products synthesized by Caulerpa in
pharmaceutical applications. This book investigates
potential interspecies variation in secondary
metabolite levels within the green macroalgae from
the genus Caulerpa. The observed qualitative and
quantitative decrease of Caulerpenyne under different
conditions is tested in detail. In addition various
extraction procedures are presented which enable the
establishment of an efficient and reproducible
extraction protocol. This book is addressed to
everyone who is interested in marine natural products
and wants to gain insight into secondary metabolites
of the genus Caulerpa.

Autorentext
Stefan Reuberger, Dipl. - Ing.(FH): study of Medical and Pharmaceutical Biotechnology at the University of Applied Sciences in Krems / Donau, Austria. Research work for this book performed at the James Cook University of Townsville, Australia. Currently studying for a doctoral degree programme at the Technical University of Vienna.

Klappentext
After the accidental introduction into the Mediterranean Sea in 1984, Caulerpa taxifolia (Vahl) C. Agardh became invasive. Based on screening assays, it is assumed that a major factor for survival and/or invasion is a potent chemical defence system that produces toxic secondary metabolites. Various studies provide evidence that the main secondary metabolite in Caulerpa taxifolia, Caulerpenyne, is a bioactive substance with strong toxicological effects. These recent studies suggest the potential use of marine natural products synthesized by Caulerpa in pharmaceutical applications. This book investigates potential interspecies variation in secondary metabolite levels within the green macroalgae from the genus Caulerpa. The observed qualitative and quantitative decrease of Caulerpenyne under different conditions is tested in detail. In addition various extraction procedures are presented which enable the establishment of an efficient and reproducible extraction protocol. This book is addressed to everyone who is interested in marine natural products and wants to gain insight into secondary metabolites of the genus Caulerpa.