Search

Halogenated natural products (HNPs) were identified from organic extracts of the marine sponge Hyrtios proteus from The Bahamas using gas chromatography with electron capture negative ion mass spectrometry and non-targeted gas chromatography with electron ionization mass spectrometry. The HNPs found have similar properties to anthropogenic persistent organic pollutants (POPs). Two ortho -methoxy brominated diphenyl ethers (MeO-BDEs) 2′-MeO-BDE 68 and 6-MeO-BDE 47 were the most abundant compounds. Fourteen other MeO-BDEs were detected along with several polybrominated dibenzo- p -dioxins (PBDDs) (1,3,7-triBDD, 1,3,6,8-tetraBDD and 1,3,7,9-tetraBDD) and MeO-PBDDs. Further analysis of a higher trophic level octopus (Octopus maya) from the same FAO fishing area showed that the major HNPs detected in Hyrtios proteus were also predominant. Moreover, HNPs were more than 30-fold higher in abundance than the major POPs in the octopus, i.e., polychlorinated biphenyls. Hence, Caribbean marine organisms, including those potentially used for food, harbor relatively high concentrations of HNPs. • Halogenated natural products (HNPs) were studied in Hyrtios proteus from The Bahamas. • 2′-MeO-BDE 68 (BC-2) and 6-MeO-BDE 47 (BC-3) were predominant in this marine sponge. • Polybrominated dibenzo- p -dioxins (PBDDs) and methoxylated PBDDs were also present. • 1,3,7-TriBDD, 1,3,6,8-tetraBDDs, and 1,3,7,9-tetraBDDs were identified in H. proteus. • The major HNP of Hyrtios proteus were also predominant in an octopus from the region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]