Analysis and characterization of methyl esters of fatty acids of some Gracilaria species

Abstract: The analysis of the total methyl esters of fatty acids from the extracts of Gracilaria birdiae, Gracilaria caudata, Gracilaria cerviconis, Gracilaria domingensis collected in the coast of Paraíba, Northeast Brazil, as well as their chemotaxonomic significance are herein reported for the first time. They can be recognized as a group that represents analogous chemotaxonomic basis since they show common constituents in their composition, such as hexadecanoic acid and cholesterol. Differences found in the fatty acid composition between the studied species reinforce the proposal to transfer G. caudata for the genus Hydropuntia (H. caudata). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]