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8393335 
Journal Article 
Biosynthesis of bromophenols in marine algae 
Flodin, C; Whitfield, FB 
1999 
1 
Water Science and Technology
ISSN: 0273-1223
EISSN: 1996-9732 
Paris, France 
Proceedings of the 1997 5th International Symposium on Off-Flavours in the Aquatic Environment 
40 
6 
53-58 
English 
The green marine alga Ulva lactuca is known to contain high concentrations of bromophenols. However, the biosynthetic pathways of their formation is not known. This study was aimed at identifying possible precursors of bromophenols. The bromophenol content and bromoperoxidase activity were measured in the alga collected every month from January to August 1997. Bromoperoxidases were extracted and incubated with various possible precursors of bromophenols and brominated reaction products were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The results show that U. lactuca contains a bromoperoxidase which can convert phenol, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid and 4-hydroxybenzyl alcohol to bromophenols. L-tyrosine and 4-hydroxybenzaldehyde could not be converted to bromophenols. Bromophenol content and bromoperoxidase activity exhibited a seasonal variation with high productivity in summer and low in winter. 
Algae; Biosynthesis; Bromination; Bromoperoxidase; Bromophenol; Ulva lactuca