DISTRIBUTION OF NEUROEXCITATORY AMINO-ACIDS IN MARINE-ALGAE

Contents of three neuroexcitatory amino acids, N-methyl-D,L-aspartic a cid (NMA), kainic acid (KA) and domoic acid (DA) were investigated in 46 marine algae species. NMA was detected in very small amounts in sev eral marine algae belonging to the Chlorophyceae and Rhodophyceae, but not in algae belonging to the Phaeophyceae. KA was detected in three species and DA was detected in four species all belonging to the famil y Rhodomelaceae (Ceramiales, Rhodophyceae). Among rhodomelacean algae investigated in this study, KA and DA were detected only in the partic ular species collected in the south-west Islands of Japan (Tokunoshima Island and Okinawa Main Island). It is noteworthy that the distributi on of both KA and DA was strictly restricted some algae of the subtrop ical area.