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The green microalga Botryococcus braunii produces large amounts of liquid hydrocarbons that can be used as a renewable source for producing transportation fuels. In the L race of B. braunii the tetraterpene known as lycopadiene accumulates as the main hydrocarbon. Lycopadiene biosynthesis begins with the production of the eight carbon-carbon double bond (C=C) containing molecule lycopaoctaene, which is reduced to lycopadiene through four intermediates containing less C=C bonds. While the biosynthetic pathway for these hydrocarbons has recently been deciphered, a spectroscopic understanding of the molecular structure for these molecules remains to be reported. Here we describe the vibrational frequency assignments for all six L race hydrocarbons using density functional theory (DFT) calculations, showing that these molecules have between 312 and 348 vibrational frequencies. Experimental Raman spectroscopy analysis shows the regions for ν(C=C) stretch and CH 2 /CH 3 bending vibrations offer unique spectral signatures allowing for the differentiation of several of the hydrocarbons from each other. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two high molecular weight ether lipids, C151 and C153 lycopanerols H, have been isolated from the lipid extract of a strain of the green microalga Botryococcus braunii. These new compounds arise from the linkage via ether bridges of tetraterpenoid, n-alkylphenol and α-tocopherol units. Their structures have been elucidated by Mass and NMR spectral analysis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The distributions of total soluble solids, pectins, the sum of polyphenolic and terpenoid compounds as well as the antioxidative potency of fruit and their parts, such as peel, flesh, and seeds of Saskatoon berry genotypes are presented in this work. The contents of individual bioactive compounds of in this fruit fraction of Saskatoon berry cultivars and cultivation clones significantly depended on berry genotype and compounds distribution within particular parts of the fruit. The fruit peel contained mainly anthocyanins, polymerized compounds, hydroxycinnamic acids, triterpenoids, and tetraterpenids, as well as exhibited antioxidant activity. The major compounds identified in the fruit flesh included soluble solids, ash, flavonols. In turn, polymeric procyanidins was determined in the seeds of fruit. Individual parts of Saskatoon berry fruit contained many health-promoting constituents and could be deemed attractive materials for the production of functional foods or dietary supplements. • Phytochemicals in Saskatoon berry is dependent from genotypes and their components. • Peel is characterized by the greatest concentration of phytochemical parameters. • Flavonols are located mainly in the pulp of berries. • Seeds is good source of polymeric procyanidins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]