The crude extract of the marine brown alga Dictyota guineensis was analyzed by high-resolution gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (HRGC-MS). Five diterpenes were identified: dictyol E (the most abundant diterpene), dictyotadiol, dictyoxide, isopachydictyol A and pachydictyol A, all diterpenes from the chemical group I, i.e., mainly prenylated derivatives of known sesquiterpene skeletons that result from a first cyclization of geranyl-geraniol between positions 1 and 10. These diterpenes are known for their activity against bacteria, fungi and other activities. The results characterize D. guineensis as a species that yields exclusively diterpenes from group I, with low oxidation and low structural complexity. On Brazilian coasts, only D. mertensii provides exclusively prenylated guaiane diterpenes. Although D. guineensis presents alternate branches and fixing by rhizoidal branches, it is easily distinguishable from D. mertensii by the much narrower stem, short stature and flabelliform habit of the former species. On the other hand, both species have been characterized as producers of diterpenes of group I, in particular, prenylated guaiane. However, D. guineensis has a majority dictyol E in the lipophilic extract, while D. mertensii produces more complex prenylated guaianes, like dictyol H.
Dictyota guineensis; Dictyotaceae; Phaeophyceae; diterpenes
