Fine-scale variability of lanosol and its disulfate ester in the temperate red algaNeorhodomela larix

Aqueous extraction and HPLC separation techniques were used to quantify two major bromophenols naturally present in the red algaNeorhodomela larix: lanosol (2,3-dibromo-4,5-dihydroxybenzyl alcohol) and its 1,4-disulfate ester. Maximum concentrations of each compound were as high as 1.5% on a wet mass basis. The within-plant distributions of lanosol and its ester were highly variable on centimeter scales: adjacent portions often varied by an order of magnitude in bromophenol content. Some bromophenol variation was related to algal phase, location within the algal thallus, and reproductive status. Bromophenol concentrations were higher in exterior vegetative regions and some reproductive structures (cystocarps and tetrasporangial branchlets) than in interior vegetative regions or male reproductive structures (spermatangial stichidia). In contrast to results reported for harvestedN. larix, there was no evidence that the intactin situ algae released either compound into seawater.