Analysis of 1,5-anhydro-D-fructose, microthecin, and 4-deoxy-glycero-hexo-2,3-diulose in algae using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in selected ion monitoring mode.

A sensitive and selective method for detection and quantification of 1,5-anhydro-D-fructose, microthecin, and 4-deoxy-glycero-hexo-2, 3-diulose using GC-MS in selected ion monitoring mode has been developed. These compounds, which occur in many biological systems, have here been quantified in the red alga Gracilariopsis lemaneiformis. A screening of other algae showed the occurrence of 1, 5-anhydro-D-fructose in several other species of red algae as well as in some green and brown algae. Copyright 1999 Academic Press.