Biosynthèse de la farnésylacétone‐( E,E ) par les glandes androgènes du crabe carcinus maenas

Biosynthesis of E , E ‐farnesylacetone by the andogenic glands of the crab Carcinus maenas Using sodium acetate‐1,2‐[ 14 C] or mevalonic acid‐2‐[ 14 C], the biosynthesis of (E,E)‐farnesylacetone 1 by the androgenic glands of the crab Carcinus maenas, kept as organ subculture is demonstrated. Ozonolysis of the NaBH 4 reduction product 3 leads to three fragments the radioactivity of which has been measured after isolation by GC. It is thus established that the biosynthesis of 1 proceeds through geranylgeraniol. The hexahydroderivative 2 is not labelled in the two experiments.