Article ID Journal Published Year Pages File Type
1355138 Biochemical Systematics and Ecology 2016 9 Pages PDF
Abstract

•The saponin content of the sea cucumber Holothuria sanctori is described.•18 different saponins (8 new) were discovered in two different organs.•As Holothuria forskali, H. sanctori only contains non-sulphated saponins.•Saponins probably act as true chemical signatures for holothuroids.

Holothuria (Platyperona) sanctori is a common sea cucumber of the Mediterranean Sea. Although its ecology and molecular phylogeny have been investigated in previous works, nothing is known about its saponin content, contrarily to other Mediterranean holothuroids. Saponins are bioactive triterpene glycosides that present interesting pharmacological/biological properties, and which can be used as taxonomic markers. This work highlights the different saponins produced by H. sanctori. Mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS and MS/MS) analyses highlighted a total of 18 different saponins, including eight new congeners. Presumptive molecular structures are proposed for all these molecules. A higher diversity of saponins is found in the body wall (12) than in the Cuvierian tubules (8). In addition to this qualitative difference, saponins were also 2–3 fold more concentrated in the Cuvierian tubules than in the integument. Our results demonstrate that H. sanctori, in accordance with its phylogenetic position, is the second species of Holothuria described to date possessing exclusively non-sulfated saponins. The species presents its own mix of saponins, acting as a true chemical signature.

Related Topics
Physical Sciences and Engineering Chemistry Organic Chemistry
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