Carotenoids from three red algae of the Corallinaceae

The carotenoid composition of the red algae Corallina officinalis, Corallina elongata and Jania sp. were analysed. The same eight compounds were isolated and identified from the three species: β-carotene, zeaxanthin, fucoxanthin, 9′- cis-fucoxanthin, fucoxanthinol,9′- cis-fucoxanthinol and the epimeric mutatoxanthins. The latter two components are described for the first time as natural products from the marine environment. The results allowed us to infer that Corallinaceae are able to produce de novo allenic and epoxy carotenoids, contrary to the general supposition that their presence in the algae was due to colonizing organisms.