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HALOGENATION IN THE RHODOPHYTA 1, 2 A REVIEW
Author(s) -
Fenical William
Publication year - 1975
Publication title -
journal of phycology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.85
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1529-8817
pISSN - 0022-3646
DOI - 10.1111/j.1529-8817.1975.tb02775.x
Subject(s) - bromine , biology , halogen , chlorine , halogenation , algae , iodine compounds , phenols , botany , iodine , environmental chemistry , organic chemistry , biochemistry , chemistry , alkyl
SUMMARY The halogens—chlorine, bromine and iodine—play an important, role in the biochemical processes of marine red algae. Recent studies show that various species from at least 5 orders of the Rhodophyta possess the unique ability to synthesize organic halogen‐containing compounds which are derived from seawater components. A variety of substances have been reported, with various structures from simple aliphatic halo‐ketones and brominated phenols to more sophisticated mono‐, sesqui‐ and diterpenes. While the biological functions of these compounds are not clearly understood, they appear to provide environmental advantage, probably involving predator avoidance responses and microflora antibiosis.