New indole alkaloids from the North Sea bacterium Vibrio parahaemolyticus Bio249.

Several bis- and tris-indole derivatives were isolated from a North Sea bacterium that was closely related to Vibrio parahaemolyticus (98% homology). 1,1,3-Tris(3-indolyl)butane (3) is a new compound, and 3,3-bis(3-indolyl)butane-2-one (1a), arundine (1b), and 1,1,1-tris(3-indolyl)methane (2a) were isolated from a microorganism for the first time here. Additionally, many other known compounds were obtained from the ethyl acetate extract of the culture. Their structures were established on the basis of various spectral data, and their origin is discussed. All compounds were inactive against a range of bacteria and fungi.