Some neutral constituents of the Rhodophyceae with special reference to the occurrence of the floridosides

Abstract

Isofloridoside, in addition to floridoside, was demonstrated as a constituent of 16 species of the Bangiophycidae and Florideophycidae (Rhodophyceae). Photosynthetic experiments with Porphyra umbilicalis resulted in a very slow labelling of isofloridoside both in light and in darkness after photosynthesis in 14CO2. This observation supports the concept that the floridosides are not equivalent as metabolites.Trehalose was identified as a constituent of species of the Corallinaceae. A dideoxyinositol, D-(+)-14/25-cyclohexanetetrol, was isolated from Porphyridium sp., taurine from Polyides rotundus, and di-N-methyl taurine was obtained from Corallina officinalis.