Biologically active compounds in the sea

Abstract

SUMMARY The concept of external metabolites in the sea, which has received support from biological investigations, invites chemical corroboration which, until recently, has not been forthcoming. Separations of organic matter from filtered sea water using a variety of methods are reported and a preliminary assessment made. Organic residues obtained from different open sea sources by adsorption on carbon give rise to different paper chromatogram patterns. Certain organic components of a carbon adsorbate contain substances which affect the growth of a number of marine phytoplankton organisms. Further research is planned employing methods of isolation and chromatography of the dissolved organic matter from different sea waters and the assessment of biological activity of certain fractions by means of common marine organisms. Some aspects of the significance of biologically active compounds in the sea are mentioned.