HPLC separation of toxic fraction components extracted from planktonic and benthic Cnidaria

HPLC separation of crude extract components derived from nematocysts and extranematocystic tissues of macroplanktonic jellyfish Aequorea aequorea and Rhizostoma pulmo and benthic sea-anemones Actinia equina and Anemonia sulcata was carried out by different columns. A satisfactory peak separation was obtained analyzing the toxin of Rhizostoma pulmo by cationic and C18 columns. Low molecular weight fragments were separated by C18 column and U.V. monitored varying pH values and obtaining the displacement of significant peaks. Clear differences between chromatographic plots concerning planktonic and benthic species was evidenced by anionic column; this result can point out a clear ecological analogy between species living in the same environment and a similar toxin biosynthesis, due to selective actions related to both the environment and the phylogenetic relationships; these organisms could have developed similar mechanisms useful to tackle the environment.