Caulerpin from a New Source Spatoglossum asperum: a Brown Alga

Caulerpin, an orange-red algal pigment possessing a unique bis-indole structure, has been found in 80% of the species of the green alga genus Caulerpa. Caulerpin and the corresponding diacid have been shown to be plant growth regulators and posses various biological activities. Caulerpin has also been reported from the red alga Chondria armata. This is the first report of the isolation of caulerpin from brown seaweed Spatoglossum asperum J. Ag. The compound was purified by column chromatography and was characterized on the basis of spectroscopic techniques.