Biochemical Studies of the Carotenoids in Porifera Distribution of the Carotenoids in Porifera

Abstract

The carotenoids from eight species of sea sponge were isolated and identified. The main carotenoid of each sponge was determined : zeaxanthin in Spirastrella insignis and Callyspongia confoederata, astaxanthin in Haliclona permollis, tedanin in Clathria frondifera and Tedania digitata, trikentriorhodin in Agelas mauritiana, renieratene in Tetya amamensis, and isorenieratene in Hymeniacidon penicillata. Sea sponges can be divided into two groups according to the main carotenoids: a), sea sponges containing hydrocarbon carotenoids and b) sea sponges containing xanthophyll carotenoids. © 1978, The Japanese Society of Fisheries Science. All rights reserved.