| Abstract: | Carotenoids from Marine Sponges (Porifera): Isolation and Structure of the Seven Main Carotenoids from Agelas schmidtii The following carotenoids were identified in the marine sponge Agelas schmidtii: α-carotene ((6′R)-β, ε-carotene ( 1 )), isorenieratene (φ,φ-carotene ( 2 )), trikentriorhodin (3,8-dihydroxy-κ,χ-caroten-6-one ( 3 )) and zeaxanthin ((3R, 3′R)-β, β-carotene-3, 3′-diol ( 4 )). In addition, three previously unknown carotenoids called agelaxanthin A, B and C were isolated. Spectroscopical and chemical structure elucidation showed agelaxanthin A to be (3 R)-β, φ-caroten-3-ol ( 6 ) and agelaxanthin C to be a methoxy-19,3′,8′-trihydroxy-7,8-didehydro-β, κ-caroten-6′-one ( 7 ) with the methoxy group at C (2), C (3) or C (4). The limited data on age-laxanthin B were compatible with the structure of a 19-O-methyl derivative of agelaxanthin C. |
