Semiclassical quantization of the SU(3)-skyrmion zero modes is perform
ed by means of the collective coordinate method. The quantization cond
ition known for SU(2) solitons quantized with SU(3) collective coordin
ates is generalized for SU(3) skyrmions with strangeness content diffe
rent from zero. The quantization of the dipole-type configuration with
large strangeness content found recently is considered as an example
and the spectrum and the mass splittings of the quantized states are e
stimated. The energy and baryon number density of SU(3) skyrmions are
presented in a form emphasizing their symmetry in different SU(2) subg
roups of SU(3), and a lower bound for the static energy of SU(3) skyrm
ions is derived. (C) 1997 American institute of Physics. [S1063-7761(9
7)00212-6].