A new polyacetylenic fatty acid and other secondary metabolites from the Chinese green alga Caulerpa racemosa (Caulerpaceae) and their chemotaxonomic significance

► A new polyacetylenic fatty acid was isolated from Caulerpa racemosa. ► The new compound is the first example of polyacetylenic lipids from marine algae. ► A linear diterpene is reported for the first time in the Caulerpaceae. ► Diterpenes and sterols could be chemotaxonomic markers within the species of Caulerpa.