V. Roussis et al., SECONDARY METABOLITE CHEMISTRY OF THE AUSTRALIAN BROWN ALGA ENCYOTHALIA-CLIFTONII - EVIDENCE FOR HERBIVORE CHEMICAL DEFENSE, Phytochemistry, 34(1), 1993, pp. 107-111
Two bis-prenylated phenols have been isolated from the Western Austral
ian brown alga Encyothalia cliftonii Harvey. The structures of these c
ompounds were determined by spectral and chemical methods. The major m
etabolite, 2,4-bis(3-methylbut-2-enyl)phenol, previously isolated as a
minor metabolite from the related alga Perithalia caudata, showed sig
nificant feeding deterrence toward the herbivorous sea urchin Tripneus
tes esculentus (Leske). The minor metabolite is a new compound in whic
h hydration of one of the isopentenyl olefinic bonds has taken place.