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Aquaculture of Pseudopterogorgia elisabethae and induction of pseudopterosins

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Date Issued:
2000
Summary:
The pseudopterosins are a class of diterpene glycosides isolated from the Caribbean sea whip, Pseudopterogorgia elisabethae. Pseudopterosins A-D possess potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties (ED50 ca. 3.0 mg/kg). There is a large demand in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries for pseudopterosin derivatives and presently, the only source of these chemicals is from wild-collected gorgonians. Preliminary experiments were performed to develop a reliable, cost-effective production method of the pseudopterosins in order to avoid large-scale harvesting. We exposed the gorgonians to various forms of "stress" in an attempt to increase the amount of pseudopterosins produced. We have also evaluated the feasibility of raising Pseudopterogorgia elisabethae in an aquaculture setting by studying their growth rates in different environments. Our studies indicate that aquaculture used with some simple induction methods can allow for the commercialization of this important biochemical resource.
Title: Aquaculture of Pseudopterogorgia elisabethae and induction of pseudopterosins.
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Name(s): Thornton, Renee S.
Florida Atlantic University, Degree grantor
Kerr, Russell G., Thesis advisor
Type of Resource: text
Genre: Electronic Thesis Or Dissertation
Issuance: monographic
Date Issued: 2000
Publisher: Florida Atlantic University
Place of Publication: Boca Raton, Fla.
Physical Form: application/pdf
Extent: 106 p.
Language(s): English
Summary: The pseudopterosins are a class of diterpene glycosides isolated from the Caribbean sea whip, Pseudopterogorgia elisabethae. Pseudopterosins A-D possess potent anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties (ED50 ca. 3.0 mg/kg). There is a large demand in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries for pseudopterosin derivatives and presently, the only source of these chemicals is from wild-collected gorgonians. Preliminary experiments were performed to develop a reliable, cost-effective production method of the pseudopterosins in order to avoid large-scale harvesting. We exposed the gorgonians to various forms of "stress" in an attempt to increase the amount of pseudopterosins produced. We have also evaluated the feasibility of raising Pseudopterogorgia elisabethae in an aquaculture setting by studying their growth rates in different environments. Our studies indicate that aquaculture used with some simple induction methods can allow for the commercialization of this important biochemical resource.
Identifier: 9780599955981 (isbn), 12727 (digitool), FADT12727 (IID), fau:9608 (fedora)
Collection: FAU Electronic Theses and Dissertations Collection
Note(s): Thesis (M.S.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2000.
Charles E. Schmidt College of Science
Subject(s): Alcyonacea
Aquaculture
Marine pharmacology
Held by: Florida Atlantic University Libraries
Persistent Link to This Record: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12727
Sublocation: Digital Library
Use and Reproduction: Copyright © is held by the author with permission granted to Florida Atlantic University to digitize, archive and distribute this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder.
Use and Reproduction: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
Host Institution: FAU
Is Part of Series: Florida Atlantic University Digital Library Collections.